Baltimore’s Continuum of Care Seeks Volunteers to Complete HUD-Mandated Count of the City’s Unsheltered Population

BALTIMORE, MD. (Friday, January 28, 2022) — Today, the Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services (MOHS) announced that Baltimore City will conduct its Point-In-Time (PIT) Count of people experiencing homelessness on Saturday, February 26, 2022. The PIT Count, which will begin at 5:00 p.m., seeks to count and survey all Baltimoreans sleeping and sheltering in places not meant for human habitation. 

The PIT Count is important because it helps the City identify and connect individuals, families, and youth experiencing homelessness to much-needed housing and support services. Also, the results from the count inform policy and provide critical data that helps Baltimore City access vital Federal and State homeless services resources.

“The pandemic has exacerbated homelessness across our City,” said Mayor Brandon M. Scott. “We have to account for all of our neighbors experiencing homelessness and ensure that resources are properly allocated so that they can access safe, secure housing.” 

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires communities that receive federal funding for homelessness to conduct a PIT count at least biennially during the last ten days of January. Baltimore City’s Continuum of Care (CoC) committed to conducting annual counts but received a waiver to forego the 2021 count and delay the 2022 count until late February as a COVID-19 safety precaution. HUD has issued safety considerations and guidance on using sampling methods for the required 2022 count.

“The data from the count supports our ask for resources and helps guide the strategic investment plan to prevent and end homelessness in Baltimore. During our planning process, we engage the community at large. With the PIT Count, we can engage the community members who are most affected by homeless service efforts – those currently experiencing homelessness,” said Irene Agustin, Director of MOHS.

The CoC is asking for volunteers for the 2022 PIT Count. Small groups of volunteers, led by an experienced homeless service provider, will canvass Baltimore City streets and outdoor locations to survey individuals experiencing homelessness. If you’d like to volunteer, register here: Baltimore City Homeless Point-In-Time Count.

“The Continuum of Care is working to make homelessness rare and brief,” said Janice Miller, CoC Board Chair. “To do this, we must make sure that every person needing housing is counted. The PIT Count is one way community members can get involved with the Continuum of Care to help their unhoused neighbors.”