Sacramento Steps Forward (SSF), as the lead agency for the Sacramento Continuum of Care (CoC), is responsible for planning and conducting a point-in-time (PIT) count of unsheltered persons who meet the definition established by the US Housing and Urban Development (US HUD) of “unsheltered homeless person” (i.e., person residing in a place not meant for human habitation such as cars, parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings (on the street)). The PIT typically occurs every other year on a single night during the final 10 days of January. The PIT Count Committee meets monthly to engage in planning and implementation activities.

Consequently, the CoC is responsible for submitting PIT Count data as required by HUD. This data is collected nationwide, providing estimates of homelessness and demographic characteristics of people experiencing homelessness (PEH).  

Collecting this data is important and enables the opportunity for us to: 

• Understand the causes of homelessness 
• Design more effective policies, programs, funding, and homeless system response 
• Measure progress toward reducing homelessness 
• Engage community members on matters of housing and homelessness