In a nutshell
The Coalition is a nonprofit organization that aims to lead the development and implementation of community strategies to prevent and end homelessness in the region, according to its website. The organization's annual Point-in-Time Survey provides a snapshot of sheltered and unsheltered individuals experiencing homelessness and typically occurs annually in January.
This year, according to a Jan. 28 news release, the organization started the process Jan. 27 by counting the number of people staying in shelters by pulling records electronically from the Homeless Management Information System. The unsheltered count will be conducted Jan. 28-Jan. 30, with more than 400 volunteers and staff of local nonprofits assisting in the count.
According to the release, volunteers will canvass the three-county region by using an app on their mobile devices.
Taking a step back
In 2024, the Point-in-Time count results showed a 33% decrease in unsheltered homelessness since 2020, with an overall 60% reduction since 2011.
Kelly Young, president and CEO of the Coalition, said the progress the region is seeing in addressing homelessness in Houston is a direct result of strategic partnerships and investments, but states that sustainable funding is still a critical need to avoiding a backslide.
"When we are adequately funded, we can do more, reach more people and ultimately create a system that serves everyone experiencing homelessness in our
community," she said. "As we move forward, we remain committed to reaching equilibrium; in other words, ensuring that people are rehoused within 30 days.”
Houston Mayor John Whitmire announced in November his intentions to launch a $70 million program to deal with homelessness in the city, and called on city and county leaders to commit to various funding streams as well as potential help from the Texas Legislature. However, more details have yet to be released.
Stay tuned
The results of the Houston's 2025 PIT Count will be released by CFTH in the spring, following independent verification by an epidemiologist, representatives said. The findings are also expected to provide insight into how factors such as the end of federal pandemic relief funding has impacted homelessness in the region.
