Point in Time Count

The Point in Time is an unduplicated count of people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. The Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines literal homelessness as living in a place not meant for human habitation, emergency shelter, or some transitional housing programs.

Persons at risk of becoming homeless (such as those staying with friends or family or staying in a motel) are not included in this count.

As the Metro Denver Continuum of Care, MDHI is mandated by HUD to organize the PIT Count in January. While helping to determine the scope of homelessness, the PIT raises public awareness, promotes collaboration across the region, provides needed demographic and survey data, and helps us apply for increased housing funds.

MDHI works closely with leads in the seven counties to determine the needs and resources of each community, organize the count and survey, and ensure each count is compliant with HUD guidelines. There are slight variations in each community’s approach depending on their needs and resources.

The PIT Count is only one measure of the number of people experiencing homelessness in our community, with numerous variables such as weather, volunteer engagement, and capacity that could result in an undercount. Read a more comprehensive picture in our latest State of Homelessness Report.

The 2024 Point in Time count took place on January 22. Thank you to all who volunteered and helped organize the PIT.