Body of News Release
Marin County, CA — Early on January 28, Marin County launched its biennial Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, a community-wide effort to understand the scope and nature of homelessness across the county on a single night.
The PIT Count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and is conducted every other year by communities nationwide. Locally, the Marin County Continuum of Care (CoC) leads the effort in partnership with Applied Survey Research, trained volunteers, and County staff.
During the count, small teams are deployed throughout Marin to observe and document individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness. Volunteers do not provide outreach or services; the purpose of the count is strictly data collection to ensure accuracy, consistency, and safety.
“The Point-in-Time Count is a critical tool for understanding homelessness in Marin County,” said Gary Naja-Riese, the County's Director of Homelessness & Coordinated Care. “The data collected helps guide funding decisions, improve services, and inform long-term strategies to reduce homelessness in our community.”
Nikolas Brady, Senior Program Coordinator with the Division of Homelessness & Coordinated Care, added, “We are grateful to our community partners, volunteers, and service providers who make this effort possible each year. Outreach teams will begin the client survey phase following the street count, with data expected in late spring to early summer.”
Results from the PIT Count will not be available immediately. Initial data processing, validation, and analysis will take several months. Top-line findings are expected later this year, followed by a comprehensive public report that will provide deeper insight into demographics, trends, and service needs.
The PIT Count is one of several tools Marin uses to measure progress, evaluate programs, and strengthen its coordinated response to homelessness. While the data represents a single night in time, it plays a vital role in shaping policies and resources that impact residents year-round.
Learn more at Marin County Department of Health and Human Services’ Homelessness and Coordinated Care webpage.