On Thursday, January 26, 2023, 42 volunteers and 10 staff took to the streets for the Point in Time Homeless Count (PIT Count). The PIT Count, held annually on the third Thursday in January, is a nationwide effort to collect a data snapshot of the number of homeless families, youth, and single adults in communities nationwide. Results from the nationwide count are the primary way the federal government tracks the overall number of people experiencing homelessness. The counts are also used to benchmark progress toward our shared national goal to permanently end homelessness.
Metrocrest Services spearheaded the effort to count the unsheltered homeless in Carrollton, Farmers Branch, Addison, Coppell, and a portion of Dallas (in Denton County). During the count, volunteers requested information and provided our unsheltered neighbors with a bag of nonperishable food and warm clothing. The information received from the count helps to inform and develop housing initiatives in our community.
Homelessness is defined by Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as living outdoors or in a place not intended for human
habitation, such as a car. In addition to the homelessness count reported to HUD, it is critical to identify those in our community who are housing insecure. This includes those living long-term in area motels and school-aged children precariously housed (living in motels, doubling up with family or friends, or living in a shelter).
2023 PIT Count Results
Year Over Year Comparison
For the third year in a row, we saw an increase in the unsheltered population living in the metrocrest area.
Due to winter storms and COVID-19, the 2021 count did not accurately reflect the homeless population in our service area and thus, has not been included in this comparison.
For additional details on the 2023 PIT Count, click here. If you would like to get involved with Metrocrest Services’ Homeless Resources program, please contact Melanie Meijering, Director of Homeless Resources at melaniem@metrocrestservices.org.
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