The Community Alliance for the Homeless (CAFTH) and the Memphis and Shelby County Homeless Consortium will be working with volunteers to collect data to develop resources, programs, and funding for those experiencing homelessness.
The Point-in-Time (PIT) Count is an annual initiative scheduled for January 22, 2025. Volunteers will meet at First Congregational Church, 1000 South Cooper Street, at 3:15 a.m., where they will form teams to survey unsheltered locations, including streets, parks, and encampments. These teams, led by trained leaders, will cover areas across Memphis and Shelby County to better assess the scope of homelessness in the region.
In addition to surveying these areas, participants will be distributing care bags with hygiene products, warm clothes, and snacks to those they encounter.
“Volunteering for the PIT Count is a unique opportunity to directly impact the fight against homelessness,” CAFTH officials said. “This annual event brings people together to count and survey our neighbors experiencing homelessness, giving us the data we need to better serve them and bring lasting change to Memphis and Shelby county.”
According to CAFTH, this is required nationally by Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The 2023 PIT summary for Memphis and Shelby County showed there were a total of 1,292 people experiencing homelessness, 1,172 individuals were sheltered, and 165 were categorized as unsheltered.
Those aged 25 and over made up for a majority of these numbers at a total of 908 people. Youth under the age of 18 accounted for the second largest group with 295 individuals.
Officials said this project informs strategic planning for housing and services. They added that collecting accurate data helps them further secure state and federal funding.
CAFTH officials said they were able to secure over $11 million in government funding through connecting 20 organizations across Memphis and Shelby County. Funds were secured through gathering and analyzing data on homelessness as well.
PIT is part of CAFTH’s vision to end homelessness through a collaborative approach. The organization has outlined three goals with strategic action to make sure that homelessness is rare, brief, and one-time.
The alliance’s 901 Home Together: Strategic Plan to End Homelessness in Memphis and Shelby County guide shows that to ensure brevity they must identify and engage those experiencing homelessness as quickly as possible.
This strategy consists of street outreach and coordinating programs that will allow people to access services quickly. CAFTH said they use input from those with lived experiences and outreach workers.
Those interested in participating can sign up to volunteer in the count here. The community is also asked to identify known locations for those experiencing homelessness prior to the event.
