Point-in-Time (PIT) Count
Central Sierra Continuum of Care
What Is the Point-in-Time (PIT) Count?
The Point-in-Time (PIT) Count is a one-night count of people experiencing homelessness in the Central Sierra region. It includes individuals and families staying in shelters as well as those living in places not meant for human habitation, such as vehicles, encampments, or outdoors.
The PIT Count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and is conducted annually for sheltered homelessness and every other year for unsheltered homelessness.
Why the PIT Count Matters
The PIT Count plays a critical role in our community’s response to homelessness:
• 📊 Helps secure federal and state funding
• 🏠 Guides local planning for housing and supportive services
• 📈 Tracks trends over time in homelessness
• 🤝 Strengthens collaboration among local agencies and partners
• 🧭 Ensures decisions are based on data, not assumptions
Every person counted represents a neighbor whose needs help shape future solutions.
When Does the PIT Count Take Place?
The PIT Count occurs each January on a single designated night.
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
How the PIT Count Works
The count is coordinated by the Central Sierra Continuum of Care (CoC) in partnership with local service providers, outreach teams, and trained community volunteers.
The process includes:
1. Planning and training
2. Sheltered count conducted by participating providers
3. Unsheltered count conducted by outreach teams and volunteers
4. Data review and submission to HUD
All data collection follows HUD guidelines and prioritizes confidentiality, safety, and respect.
Volunteer for the PIT Count
Community volunteers are essential to a successful PIT Count.
Who Can Volunteer
• Must be 18 years or older
• Must attend mandatory training
• No prior experience required
What Volunteers Do
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Assist outreach teams during the unsheltered count
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Help administer surveys
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Support accurate and respectful data collection
County-Specific Volunteer Contacts
For information on volunteering in your area, please contact:
ATCAA
Jackson Service Center
(209) 223-1485 x263
Tuolumne Service Center
(209) 553-1379 x 251
For information on volunteering in your area, please check out the flyers below:
PIT Count Results & Reports
PIT Count data is used to inform policy, funding, and program design across the region.
You can view past PIT Count results here:
• 2019 PIT Count Results
• 2021 PIT Count Results
• 2022 PIT Count Results
• 2023 PIT Count Results
• 2024 PIT Count Results
• 2025 PIT Count Results
• 2026 PIT Count Results
