The Office of Homeless Services (OHS) conducted a full unduplicated Point-in-Time (PIT) Count of people experiencing homelessness, both sheltered and unsheltered
populations in Philadelphia, on January 24, 2024.
Based on HUD’s definition of homeless, Philadelphia’s 2024 PIT counted those who lacked a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence on January 24,
2024. Meaning an individual (including youth and young adults) or family:
- Has a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not meant for human habitation; or
- Is living in a publicly or privately operated shelter designated to provide temporary living arrangements (including congregate shelters, transitional housing, and hotels and motels paid for by charitable organizations or by federal, state and local government programs); 3. Is exiting an institution where (s)he has resided for 90 days or less and who resided in an emergency shelter or place not meant for human habitation immediately before entering that institution.
OHS led the logistical planning for the 2024 PIT Count, which included:
- Event coordination
- Marketing the Count throughout the community and social media
- Managing the Volunteer Sign-up Sheets
- Scheduling training for all volunteer participants
- Developing the 2024 PIT Survey questionnaire in the Philadelphia Homeless Management Information System (PhilaHMIS)
Partners collaborated with OHS at each step of the process, from marketing, recruiting, and training volunteers to assisting with event logistics and participating
in the PIT Count. Our youth providers helped coordinate youth-specific aspects of the PIT Count, reviewed the PIT survey questions, and held focus groups to identify
youth hot spots. They also helped assign volunteers to zones/teams, and prepared and assembled supplies and materials for the teams. In addition, PIT Count teams
focusing on counting youth and young adults were led by trained youth guides and comprised both youth and adult volunteers.
Download the full report here.
