Allegheny County to Conduct Yearly Count of Homeless Population on January 30th

During last year's count, it found 913 individuals experiencing homelessness in Allegheny County, a 24% increase from 2022

By Bobby Harr

Allegheny County will begin counting its homeless population on Tuesday, January 30th, as part of a federally required annual assessment. The nationwide effort documents the number of people experiencing homelessness on a single night in the final ten days of January each year.

During last year's count, it found 913 individuals experiencing homelessness in Allegheny County, a 24% increase from 2022. Of those individuals, 758 had shelter, while 155 were unsheltered.

During the week of December 31st, 186 people were without shelter.

It will take a team of outreach groups and volunteers about three days to complete, focusing on where homeless individuals slept on January 30th, the official night of the count. The data gathered during the Point-in-Time (PIT) count is compiled and sent to the Department of Housing and Urban Development to present to Congress.

Allegheny County also conducts a supplemental count during the summer.

Vacant shelter beds are scarce in Allegheny County, and emergency measures only serve people experiencing homelessness during the coldest nights. "Code Blue" shelter is declared when the air temperature is forecasted to fall below 26 degrees Fahrenheit between 4:00 PM and 8:00 AM.

Other temporary initiatives have stalled in the winter months. The proposal for city-sanctioned homeless encampments has been with the planning commission since November but is yet to move forward. If passed, homeless camps would be concentrated in specific areas of the city and provide occupants with restrooms, heat, electricity, staff and other amenities.

Bobby Harr is the founder of Eyes on PGH, a citizen journalism project based in Pittsburgh, PA. Send story tips to bobbyharrpgh@gmail.com.