A Point-in-time Count (PiT) is not built in one day. Months of work are typically required before and after the count. This collection of resources are intended to provide guidance and tools for the initial planning stage of preparing for a PiT Count. It covers the identification of key players and initial engagement with the local community. The planning process should start from anywhere between one year to four months before the count, depending on the size of the community and the complexity of the count. This is Part 1 in a four-part series:

1. PIT Count Planning

2. PIT Count Preparation 

3. PIT Count Implementation 

4. PIT Count – Post Count 

5. Point-in-Time Count – Archive

A Point-in-Time Count is a one-day snapshot of homelessness in each community that contributes to a national picture and advance the knowledge on homelessness. It provides a community-wide measure of homelessness, identifying service needs and informing plans to prevent and reduce homelessness. When completed over subsequent years, it can also be used to track changes in the homeless population over time and measure progress in reducing it