Updated January 4, 2021
Authors:
Dan Treglia, PhD MPP; Daphne Chimbel BSW; Rebecca Brown, MD, MPH
University of Pennsylvania
This report provides guidance on conducting a street-based Point-in-Time (PIT) count that maintains the health and safety of individuals performing the count and of individuals experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic. The report is meant as a companion to HUD guidance, leveraging the authors’ experience with PIT counts and medicine, and also responding to questions and feedback they have received from communities. Recommendations focus on:
- increasing the use of outreach teams in street-based counts;
- reducing the reliance on volunteers to conduct the PIT;
- increasing the use of technology in training and surveying;
- combining observation-based and survey approaches across nights and populations; and
- reducing the overall burden by creating statistically valid samples.