Indiana prepares for annual count of individuals experiencing homelessness

Helps state and local leaders measure progress toward ending homelessness

INDIANAPOLIS (Jan. 22, 2025) – The statewide annual count of individuals experiencing homelessness will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025. Service providers and volunteers in local communities across Indiana will be conducting the 2025 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count for the Indiana Balance of State (BoS) Continuum of Care (CoC) in 91 of the 92 counties in the state. Marion County (Indianapolis) conducts its own PIT Count. 

The purpose of this annual count of people experiencing unsheltered or sheltered homelessness is to provide an easy-to understand data point that helps state and local leaders measure progress toward ending homelessness and helps plan services and programs to appropriately address local needs. The sheltered count is conducted at emergency shelters, transitional housing and safe haven projects across 16 regions that make up the Indiana BOS.

"Understanding the homeless population within our state is an essential step toward building a community where no one is left behind," said Jake Sipe, Executive Director of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. "Recognizing the faces and stories of those experiencing homelessness allows us to confront the issues that perpetuate the crisis."

It is critical that every county is engaged in the PIT Count so that IN BoS CoC can get the most accurate count possible. To make this PIT Count happen, hundreds of service providers and volunteers throughout the state work together to canvass their communities to find individuals experiencing homelessness. They are trained in the use of the PIT survey, best practices for approaching and interviewing those experiencing homelessness, exercising trauma-informed approaches and other necessary information that prepares participants for a successful experience.

"The PIT Count is critical to ensuring that homelessness can be addressed across all regions of Indiana," said Jordan Stanfill, BoS CoC Board Chair. "This annual count helps ensure the limited resources we have are getting to the communities most in need and that no area of our state is left behind. The data collected during the PIT Count will inform policy around homelessness at every level of government and is essential to continuing to assist the most vulnerable Hoosiers across all regions."

More information about the PIT Count can be found here. Those interested in volunteering can reach out to their regional PIT Coordinators prior to participating in the count. PIT Count Coordinators for each region can be found here. For past PIT Count results, please visit our website here.