Strategies to Improve Point-in-Time (PIT) Counts of Unsheltered Homelessness: An Evaluation of Hennepin County's Current Approach and Summary of Lessons Learned from Other Communities

Abstract

The Hennepin County Office of Housing Stability requested assistance from students at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs to conduct a study about how best to reform and improve their point-in-time (PIT) count of people experiencing homelessness. The Hennepin County CoC’s PIT counts of both sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness contribute to the determination of federal funding received to support the County’s population experiencing homelessness. Current counting methods are resource-intensive—particularly for the unsheltered count—and likely yield an underestimate of people experiencing homelessness. These concerns have led to skepticism about the practicality of the PIT count, as well as confusion around funding allocations.

The team conducted research over a four-month period, beginning late January 2021. The study relied on frequent meetings with Hennepin County, a literature review to learn about sampling methodologies and how other communities conduct their counts, and interviews with stakeholders and experts to better understand the PIT count process. The literature review revealed several innovative methods for sampling and estimating and the interviews highlighted concerns expressed by those directly involved with the process. This report provides background on the PIT count process, a summary of the methodological approaches from the literature review, findings from the interviews, and recommendations to strengthen future counts. Lastly, we summarize provide three key recommendations for the Hennepin County CoC to prioritize as they prepare for the next PIT count amidst the COVID-19 pandemic: 1. Create a strategically designed sampling approach to use in future iterations of the unsheltered PIT count and build quality checks into a sampling strategy to help inform ongoing process improvement. 2. Increase connection and collaboration with the network of organizations, agencies, and other stakeholders involved in the PIT count. 3. Use targeted approaches to increase the number of volunteers, particularly those who are racially diverse and/or those with lived experiences of homelessness.