Alberta 7 Cities
Point-in-Time (PiT) Count

The Point in Time (PiT) Homeless Count & Survey is a coordinated one-night event where persons experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness are enumerated (counted) and asked questions in a voluntary survey, enabling communities to gain 'a snapshot in time' of those experiencing homelessness.

Using aligned methodology and standardized survey questions, the PiT, contributes to local, provincial and national homelessness trends over time and in combination with other data, contributes to our overall understanding of the state of homelessness. Data gathered helps inform planning, program, and service efforts to prevent and end homelessness and create a system of care that best serves vulnerable community members.

PiT Counts are comprised of several data sources:

A PiT Count Enumeration/Street Count Data. Staff and volunteers conduct the PiT Count enumeration through a visual count to obtain an estimate of the number of people experiencing homelessness within a determined geographical area on a single night. It also identifies the location where they spent the night: in sheltered or unsheltered locations.
Survey Data: The voluntary survey (administered during the Count) includes a set of standardized questions to collect information on the characteristics and experiences of people experiencing homelessness. This information helps community organizations and all orders of government better understand and serve individuals experiencing homelessness in Canada.
Administrative and Systems Data – occupancy data is gathered from shelters, transitional housing, Justice, Alberta Community and Social Services, and Alberta Health Services. This data provides an estimate of the number of people with no permanent home who are staying in shelters, transitional housing, hospitals, treatment facilities, prisons, and hotels/motels sponsored by social services.

The purpose of a PiT count is not intended to be:

A measure of everyone who experiences homelessness:
By focusing on a single day, the count will not include some people who cycle in and out of homelessness and staff and volunteers will not encounter everyone despite best attempts. It will provide an estimate of how many people are homeless on a given night.
Be a count of hidden homelessness (e.g. people who are provisionally accommodated i.e. “couch-surfing”):
The focus of the count is instead on those experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessnes. Some communities nevertheless conduct surveys of the hidden homeless population to provide information on their service needs.