The City of Tucson, Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness (TPCH), and University of Arizona Southwest Institute for Research on Women (UA-SIROW) invite volunteers to participate in Everyone Counts 2024 - the 2024 Homeless Point-In-Time (PIT) count from 6-11 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 24. The Point-In-Time count is an annual census of individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Pima County on a given day and is conducted by TPCH. Volunteers must participate in a mandatory in-person training prior to the event.

Teams of volunteers and experts will canvas assigned routes throughout the community and conduct brief surveys with people who slept outside or in other places not meant for human habitation the night before the count. Volunteers do not need prior experience but must be age 18 or older, have comfort and experience using a smart device and have a desire to help end homelessness in Pima County. COVID-19 safety protocols will be in place for the count.

Community members can learn more about the count and register to volunteer at www.tpch.net/everyone-counts-2024.

“The PIT count helps to bring resources to Pima County that serve our neighbors experiencing homelessness,” said Jocelyn Muzzin, Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness chairperson. “The success of the count really depends on the hundreds of volunteers who participate each year.”

Claudia Powell, Associate Director of the UA-SIROW, which organizes the count on behalf of the coalition, added, “In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we are encouraging all volunteers to wear face masks, practice social distancing, and be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to protect themselves and the unsheltered community members with whom they will interact during the count.”

The annual PIT count is required as part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Continuum of Care program, which provides TPCH and agencies in Pima County approximately $11.6 million in federal funds to address homelessness each year. It is designed to promote community-wide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness and provide funding for efforts by nonprofit providers, and state and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families while minimizing trauma and dislocation. It promotes access to and effective utilization of mainstream programs to help individuals and families achieve self-sufficiency.

TPCH is a coalition of community- and faith-based organizations, government entities, businesses, and individuals committed to the mission of ending homelessness and addressing the issues related to homelessness in our community. The coalition provides leadership, expertise and advice to local planning and funding bodies on issues that impact services to homeless persons and serves as the HUD Continuum of Care for the City of Tucson and Pima County.