Image of multiple hands holding a home. — Image courtesy of Posada Pueblo, www.posadapueblo.org.

Point-in-Time (PIT) Count

The Point-in-Time (PIT) count is a count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness that HUD requires each Continuum of Care (CoC) nationwide to conduct on one night in the last 10 days of January each year. The Colorado Balance of State Continuum of Care conducts a sheltered count every year and both a sheltered and unsheltered count every odd year; in accordance with HUD's PIT Count Methodology Guide.

The 2022 Sheltered Point-in-Time Count for Colorado's Balance of State Continuum of Care will take place on Tuesday January 25th, 2022 in conjunction with the Housing Inventory Count. See the "Point-in-Time Count Reports and PIT Count Information" dropdown for the 2021 report.

Housing Inventory Count (HIC)

The Housing Inventory Count (HIC) is a inventory of provider programs within a Continuum of Care that provide beds and units dedicated to serve people experiencing homelessness (and, for permanent housing projects, where homeless at entry, per the HUD homeless definition), categorized by five Program Types: Emergency Shelter; Transitional Housing; Rapid Re-housing; Safe Haven; and Permanent Supportive Housing.

For more information on the Housing Inventory Count (HIC) and to add your shelter and/or housing project (even if you receive no government/other funding), scroll to and expand the "Housing Inventory Count (HIC)" tab below.

*Click the + to the left of the text below in order to expand! (Please note, the "PIT Count Training Content, Survey Forms, and Support Documents" dropdown is now combined in to one.)

Point-in-Time and Housing Inventory Counts

Point-in-Time (PIT) Count

The Point-in-Time (PIT) count is a count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness that HUD requires each Continuum of Care (CoC) nationwide to conduct on one night in the last 10 days of January each year. The Colorado Balance of State Continuum of Care conducts a sheltered count every year and both a sheltered and unsheltered count every odd year; in accordance with HUD's PIT Count Methodology Guide.

The 2022 Sheltered Point-in-Time Count for Colorado's Balance of State Continuum of Care will take place on Tuesday January 25th, 2022 in conjunction with the Housing Inventory Count. See the "Point-in-Time Count Reports and PIT Count Information" dropdown for the 2021 report.

Housing Inventory Count (HIC)

The Housing Inventory Count (HIC) is a inventory of provider programs within a Continuum of Care that provide beds and units dedicated to serve people experiencing homelessness (and, for permanent housing projects, where homeless at entry, per the HUD homeless definition), categorized by five Program Types: Emergency Shelter; Transitional Housing; Rapid Re-housing; Safe Haven; and Permanent Supportive Housing.

For more information on the Housing Inventory Count (HIC) and to add your shelter and/or housing project (even if you receive no government/other funding), scroll to and expand the "Housing Inventory Count (HIC)" tab below.

*Click the + to the left of the text below in order to expand! (Please note, the "PIT Count Training Content, Survey Forms, and Support Documents" dropdown is now combined in to one.)

Point-in-Time Count Reports (2016 to Present)

2022 (Sheltered Count Year)

2022 Point-in-Time Sheltered Count Report - To be released (June or July of 2022)

2021 (Sheltered and Unsheltered Count Year)

2021 Point-in-Time Sheltered and Unsheltered Count Report - The report also includes information about changes to the count in 2021 due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.

2020 (Sheltered Count Year)

2020 Point-in-Time Sheltered Count Report - Please note that with Larimer and Weld Counties forming their own CoC in 2020, the numbers for the BoS CoC's PIT Count will be reduced as compared to previous years.

2019 (Sheltered and Unsheltered Count Year)

2019 Full PIT Sheltered and Unsheltered Count Report
2019 Youth PIT Sheltered and Unsheltered Count Report - This report is focused on youth experiencing homelessness and. It was completed by the Office of Homeless Youth Services (OHYS) and the Advisory Council for Homeless Youth (ACHY) in Partnership with the BoS CoC, Metro Denver CoC, and Pikes Peak CoC.

2018 (Sheltered Count Year)

2018 Full PIT Sheltered Count Report

2017 (Sheltered and Unsheltered Count Year)

2017 Full PIT Sheltered and Unsheltered Count Report

2016 (Sheltered Count Year)

2016 Full PIT Sheltered Count Report

BoS Point-in-Time Count (PIT) Information:

The Point-In-Time (PIT) Sheltered and Unsheltered counts are a critical source of data on the number and characteristics of people who are homeless in the United States. The data is used to measure homelessness on a local and national level and are published annually on HUD’s HUD Exchange website, which can be viewed by CoCs and the general public.

The BoS CoC conducts a yearly Point-in-Time (PIT) Sheltered Count and a Biennial PIT Sheltered & Unsheltered Count. Individual regions may choose to conduct yearly unsheltered counts and provide their own reports for such counts.

PIT count data is also provided annually to Congress as part of the Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR) which is transitioning to the Longitudinal Systems Analysis (LSA). The AHAR (and soon LSA) are used by Congress, HUD, other federal departments, and the general public to understand the nature and extent of homelessness.

Please click the expandable boxes below for more information on the 2020 count!

Point-in-Time (PIT) Sheltered and Unsheltered Count Process

In 2022 we will be conducting a Sheltered Count across the state while taking in to consideration safety due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. See below for more information.

More information on the Point-in-Time Count can be obtained via the HUD PIT Methodology Guide. Definitions of the types of Point-in-Time Counts are included below. Click to expand the "PIT Training Content, Materials, and FAQ's" dropdown below this menu to access BoS Point-in-Time Materials for the BoS 2022 Sheltered Count.

Sheltered Count Process (Covid-19 has not impacted the Sheltered Count, it will take place as usual.)

During the Sheltered Count, the Balance of State PIT Coordinators, Agencies, and Volunteers will Survey: “An individual or family living in a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designated to provide temporary living arrangement (including congregate shelters, transitional housing, and hotels and motels paid for by charitable organizations or by federal, state, or local government programs for low-income individuals).”

Surveys can be completed in person or via the agencies Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) as long as the agency collects the HUD required data on the night of the count. We are working with HMIS leads to develop a trusted method for running PIT reports.

During a Sheltered Count the Balance of State agencies will also Count the number of individuals who live in Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) and Rapid Rehousing (RRH). We do not collect demographic information in the PSH and RRH count. This count is reported to HUD, but is not used in either HUD or BoS CoC reports.

Unsheltered Count Process (Covid-19 HAS impacted the Unsheltered Count, see below for more information.)

During an Unsheltered Count year, Balance of State PIT Coordinators, Agencies, and Volunteers Survey individuals and families experiencing homelessness per HUD's Homeless Definition Final Rule: “An individual or family with a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings, including a car, park, abandoned building, bus or train station, airport, or camping ground.”

While some counties and regions may be conducting an unsheltered count in 2022, the BoS CoC is only conducting and reporting on a sheltered count.

PIT/HIC Consultant

The Colorado Balance of State Continuum of Care contracts with the OMNI Institute in Denver, CO to provide Point-in-Time and Housing Inventory Count consulting services, data de-duplication and analysis, and the PIT Count Reports.

Click here if you'd like to email the CoC Coordinator for more information about the 2022 count, or to join the BoS Point-in-Time Work Group that is helping to plan the counts!

2022 PIT Count Training Content, Survey Forms, and Support Documents

2022 Point-in-Time Count

Youth Supplemental Survey Update: There will be a Youth Supplemental Survey (YSS) and Unsheltered count in 2022. In order to participate in the YSS process, contact Brittany Wade (brittany.wade@state.co.us) and Kippy Clausen (kippi@unfoldingdirections.com).

2022 Point-in-Time Count Materials

HUD PIT Count Documents

PIT Count Methodology Guide - This guide provides Continuums of Care (CoCs) with standards and guidance concerning acceptable methodologies and approaches to conducting Point-in-Time (PIT) counts of people experiencing homelessness.
Notice CPD-21-12: HIC and PIT Count Data Collection for CoC and ESG Programs (Direct Download PDF)- This notice is released annually and provides direction on any data collection changes for the PIT and HIC Counts. This notice provides updated guidance in 2022 as we've been following 2019 guidance for the last few years.
PIT and HIC Reporting Resources - Including Some Advertising Materials!

Training Materials for PIT Coordinators/Leads

The files below are for those coordinating the Point-in-Time and Housing Inventory Counts for their region. This does NOT include volunteers/staff who are completing surveys.

Sheltered PIT Count Fact Sheet - 2022.docx / Sheltered PIT Count Fact Sheet - 2022.pdf - A fact sheet for the PIT Count, geared towards PIT Coordinators that gives an overview of the Sheltered counts and coordinator responsibilities. Feel free to modify for participants.
BoS CoC PIT Coordinator Training - 2022 - Training Video for PIT Coordinators (See first comment in youtube for training content breakdown)
- BoS CoC PIT Coordinator Training PowerPoint / PIT Coordinator Training PDF - Powerpoint used in the Coordinator Training.

Survey Collection Steps & Submission Timeline

Survey collection by leads and coordinators begins as soon as Wednesday January 26th, 2022, but may occur up to 7 days after. All surveys must be completed based on where the person being surveyed spent the night on Tuesday January 25th, 2022.
Leads review surveys to make sure they are completed and organize the surveys based on programs.
- Leads add a completed cover sheet for each program. (See below for cover sheet template)
Leads turn in surveys to Coordinators by Tuesday February 8th, 2022.
Coordinators organize surveys by program and submit surveys to Shawn Hayes with the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless by EOB Tuesday February 18th, 2022.

Materials for Individuals Completing Surveys

The files below are for staff and volunteers filling out PIT Surveys.

Sheltered Point-in-Time Count Survey Training & Information (Including the Youth Supplemental Survey or YSS)

BoS CoC PIT 2022 Surveyor Training- Recording and materials below to be added after training on January 6th, 2022. Please see the first comment on the youtube video for a breakdown of video content.

BoS CoC PIT 2022 Surveyor Training PDF or BoS CoC PIT 2022 Surveyor Training PowerPoint – PDF of the Surveyor Training Presentation – With Notes!

Sheltered Count documents to use on Tuesday January 25th, 2022 (For distribution to agencies and volunteers)

2022 PIT Sheltered Electronic Survey Link - This is the preferred survey method for Emergency Shelter and Transitional Housing Programs through the ArcGIS platform.
- 2022 PIT Sheltered Count Form - Final - CO BoS CoC.pdf (paper survey)- The 2022 PIT Sheltered Count Survey Form, which should NOT be altered in any way. The Electronic Survey is preferred.
- Sheltered Cover Sheet -2022.docx (Paper surveys only) - Coversheet for the Sheltered Count forms to be completed for each program by PIT Coordinators if programs use paper surveys, which assists with organization of survey forms. To be completed and submitted to Shawn along with surveys. If you're doing Electronic Sheltered Surveys, you would only need these for RRH, PSH, and if you're participating, the Youth Supplemental Surveys.
Script for the 2022 PIT Sheltered Surveys.docx - The Instructions and Script for Surveyors to utilize during the count. Regions should modify the script for your local needs.
2022 Point-in-Time Sheltered Survey Guide.docx - Guide for surveyors to use in reference to questions in the 2022 PIT Sheltered Count Electronic and Paper Surveys.
Youth Supplemental Survey for the Youth Count - This is the survey to use for the Youth Supplemental Unsheltered Count if your region is participating. You do not have to be participating in the "unsheltered" portion of the count to complete the Youth Supplemental Survey. It is also availabe for youth in Emergency Shelter and Transitional Housing programs. Training for the YSS is available in the above referenced training video.
- Electronic Youth Supplemental Survey - Electronic version of the form. You can continue on to this link after finishing the PIT Survey (electronically or on paper)
- Paper Youth Supplemental Survey - Paper version of the Youth Supplemental Survey. Training for the survey is included in the above "Surveyor Training Video on Youtube".
RRH and PSH Fact Sheet.docx- Fact sheet that describes how to complete the Rapid Rehousing and Permanent Supportive Housing Count forms. (Please read!)
- RRH Editable Survey Form 2022 - Final.pdf - A survey form that provides space for a count and household breakdown of the number of people living in a RRH program on the night of the PIT Count.
- PSH Editable Survey Form 2022 - Final.pdf- A survey form that provides space for a count of the number of people living in a RRH program on the night of the PIT Count.

Point-in-Time Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Unsheltered Count Question (paraphrased): "Is there an approved HUD methodology for safely conducting a visual count of populations for places not meant for human habitation, like abandoned buildings, sheds, cars, etc? Can we use visuals to complete most of a survey without actually speaking to the person/family if the volunteer feels this would be a safer method the night of the count?"

Answer:

From the HUD Methodology Guide: When conducting a street count, there are situations in which it might not be possible for enumerators to interview a person in an unsheltered location. It might not be safe to approach someone in an abandoned building or someone who is sleeping. In these instances, it might be necessary to count a person and determine some of his or her characteristics based on observations. An observation tool may be used in these instances to record some characteristics that can be observed by the enumerator. For example, it may be possible to determine a person’s gender, but not his or her veteran status. Sometimes even gender is difficult to record, if for instance a sleeping person is wrapped in blankets or inside a cardboard box. When recording observations, it is important to record as much information as practicable about the physical location where the person is observed (e.g., the street name, any landmarks), as well as the person’s physical description (e.g., clothes, personal belongings) to assist with deduplication."

From CCH: The best way to participate in the Point-in-Time Count is for someone to be surveyed directly. Always survey someone directly if possible.

When considering places not meant for human habitation, safety, volunteer comfort, etc. a region should always air on the side of safety and caution. Volunteers should be instructed to trust their instincts, stay "buddied-up" with other volunteers, and not enter structures or areas that seem unsafe even if it means not surveying someone who is experiencing homelessness.

If a volunteer is able to conduct a visual count and feels it is the best option not to disturb the individual or family, they should have visual of the individuals or families staying in the place not meant for human habitation and be able to provide an "accurate" description of the person or families age and as much information on the survey as possible.

We recommend writing "OBS" in the space for both the first and last name to identify the survey as an observation, along with an identifier to separate the observation surveys. For example: "OBS1", "OBS2", etc.

Using observation data should be a last resort because it may lead to less accurate data. Information like a person's veteran status or disability, and even their gender/race can not always be gleaned from observation. Additionally, using observation data can increase the probability of a duplication in the count if the person or family complete a survey later that night or following and do not realize they've already been counted.

Question:

Additional Questions? Email Shawn here: shayes@coloradocoalition.org

Housing Inventory Count (HIC)

The BoS Housing Inventory Count (HIC)

The HIC is an inventory of projects within your CoC that provide beds and units dedicated to serving persons who are homeless. It is intended to provide HUD and CoCs with information about the shelter and housing capacity of homeless crisis response systems. It should reflect the number of beds and units available on the night designated for the count that are dedicated to serve persons who are homeless (and, for permanent housing projects, persons who were homeless at entry), per the HUD homeless definition.

You may access past years HIC reports via the Hudexchange website by clicking HERE, searching for the Colorado Balance of State CoC report along with the year of interest.

Important: The Housing Inventory Count includes all shelters and housing programs, not just those that receive HUD funding. By being included in the count and also participating in the Point-in-Time Count, you can help bring additional resources to your community. If you have a shelter or housing program that you would like to be included in the Balance of State's Housing Inventory Count, please contact us HERE.

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