The city of McKinney is seeking 75 volunteers for the Point-in-Time count, or PIT count, which is set to take place Jan. 23.

The annual one-day event is a count of people experiencing homelessness within the city, including both sheltered and unsheltered individuals.

The gist

The count, which is required under federal law, attempts to provide a snapshot of McKinney’s homeless population, the city’s website states.

The data collected through the count assists with planning local homeless assistance programs and public services. Data collected helps identify how many people are currently experiencing homelessness in McKinney, and of that group, how many are families, youth or veterans, the city’s website states.

What you need to know

The count will take place 5:30-10:30 p.m. on Jan. 23, and will be conducted regardless of any potential inclement weather. Volunteers must be 18 years old and older, and must register as individuals or as a team of four through Volunteer McKinney’s platform.

Volunteers should plan to arrive at the Salvation Army of McKinney, located at 600 Wilson Creek Parkway, between 5:30-6 p.m. on Jan. 23 to receive a sign in and complete a mandatory training session prior to the count. The count will begin at 7 p.m. and volunteers can expect to finish around 10:30 p.m., according to the city’s website.

More information can be found on the city’s website at www.mckinneytexas.org/calendar.aspx?EID=30461. Questions can also be directed to [email protected] or 972-547-2663.

The context

The results of the 2024 PIT count suggest that there are about 8% more people in McKinney without a permanent roof over their heads this year compared to 2021.

The count identified 233 homeless individuals in McKinney as of January 2024, according to city documents. The survey also revealed that:

• More than 25% of homeless individuals identified were under the age of 18
• Just over 40% of homeless people counted were a part of a household with children
• A majority of homeless people counted were male, totaling 49.8%

While McKinney’s homeless population has seen a year-over-year increase, the combined homeless population of Collin and Dallas counties has seen an over 12% year-over-year decrease, according to data from Housing Forward.

At a Nov. 19 McKinney City Council work session meeting, Housing and Community Development Director Margaret Li said the count process meets the requirements of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, but also “has its limitations.”

“[The Point-in-Time count] does not fully represent the homeless population within our community,” Li said at the meeting.