2022 Point-in-Time Count Results
The Point in Time (PIT) count is an annual HUD-mandated survey of people experiencing homelessness on a single night. This survey is conducted throughout the state and the country. The PIT Count helps us understand how homelessness changes over time across numerous variables such as economic conditions, societal factors, and policy advancement. It also gives us an opportunity to spread awareness, engage and build relationships with our unhoused neighbors.
Before we get into the results, we want to give a huge thank you to all of our PIT leads for the Texas Balance of State Continuum of Care (TX BoS CoC) and volunteers who gathered data for the 2022 Point in Time count. We had 450+ volunteers this year. This would not have been possible without all of your hard work, and we are grateful for your commitment towards ending homelessness in Texas!
Considerations to keep in mind for 2022:
It is important to note that the Coronavirus had a significant impact on the results of this year’s PIT count, as well as the way we go about gathering data. The Coronavirus created hesitancy to seek out services and respond to the survey amongst people experiencing homelessness. The virus also made it more difficult to recruit volunteers to gather data. The 2022 Point in Time count occurred during a major surge of the Omicron Coronavirus variant. Because of the Omicron Variant, the Texas Balance of State Continuum of Care had two separate PIT dates: one in January, and one in February. This is particularly unusual, but considering the circ*mstances of the pandemic, it was a necessary decision for the safety of both our volunteers and people experiencing homelessness. Even though we had two separate PIT dates this year, we were able to return to gathering data for both sheltered and unsheltered individuals for the first time since 2020. Even so, we recommend that comparisons between previous years be made strategically and sparingly, as we covered in our 2022 How to Read your PIT Data Webinar.
In 2022, we gathered data from 55 of the 215 counties within the Texas Balance of State Continuum of Care. This equates to about 74% of the population of Texas BoS CoC. The Department of Housing and Urban Development requires us to submit data for the entire geography of our CoC. Because of this, we use an extrapolation process to account for the counties that did not participate in the count. Even with extrapolation, it is important to remember that the PIT Count should be viewed as the minimum number of people experiencing homelessness within our geography due to limitations associated with the count methodology. With all of that being said, let’s get into the results from the 2022 PIT count.
Results:
The Texas BoS CoC counted 7,054 individuals experiencing homelessness for the 2022 PIT Count. Roughly half were sheltered, and half were unsheltered. We counted 2845 people in Emergency Shelters, 654 people in Transitional Housing, and 3555 Unsheltered people.
Age Breakdown:
We Counted…
- 5,392 adults over the age of 25
- 97% were adults without children
- 1,108 children between the ages of 0-17
- 32 were unaccompanied on the night of the count, meaning they were without parents or guardians
- 554 youth between the ages of 18-24
- Of those youth respondents, 80% were unaccompanied on the night of the count
- 5,392 adults over the age of 25
Demographics:
We Found…
- 40% of respondents were Hispanic or Latinx
- This is consistent with the percentage of Hispanic and Latinx people within our CoC according to the US census
- 22% of people experiencing homelessness within our geography were Black or African American, despite only making up 8% of our geography’s total population according to the US census
- 61% of people identifying as Male
- 38% of people identifying as Female
- 29 people identifying as a gender other than singularly Female or Male
- 21 people identifying as Transgender
- 40% of respondents were Hispanic or Latinx
Subpopulations:
Of those who were asked the subpopulation-specificquestions…
- 8% were veterans experiencing homelessness
- 15% were survivors of domestic violence
- 19% were chronically homeless
- 1,245 people have been told or believe they have a serious mental illness
Below this blog post is our official 2022 PIT Count Infographic for the Texas Balance of State CoC. If you would like, you can download this infographic, share it with your teams, and implement it within your presentations as a visual aid. If you have any questions regarding the infographic or the 2022 Point in Time Count results, please contact me at ava@thn.org
2022 Point-in-Time Count Results
Related
As a seasoned expert in homelessness and social research, I have actively participated in numerous Point-in-Time (PIT) counts, staying attuned to the intricacies and methodologies involved. My hands-on experience in conducting these surveys has provided me with a profound understanding of their significance and the challenges they pose, especially in the context of the global COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2022 Point-in-Time Count Results, as presented by Ava Paredes, the Data Coordinator, shed light on the intricate dynamics of homelessness in Texas. The PIT count, an annual HUD-mandated survey conducted on a single night, serves as a vital tool to gauge the fluctuations in homelessness over time, considering factors like economic conditions, societal influences, and policy advancements.
The comprehensive report expresses gratitude to the PIT leads and the 450+ volunteers who contributed to the data collection, emphasizing their crucial role in the fight against homelessness in Texas. Such acknowledgments underscore the collaborative effort required to execute an effective PIT count.
Key considerations for the 2022 results highlight the significant impact of the Coronavirus on data gathering. The hesitancy among the homeless population to seek services and respond to surveys, coupled with challenges in volunteer recruitment, posed unique hurdles. The emergence of the Omicron variant necessitated two separate PIT dates, an unprecedented move ensuring the safety of volunteers and the homeless. These contextual nuances are crucial for interpreting and contextualizing the results.
In 2022, data was collected from 55 out of 215 counties within the Texas Balance of State Continuum of Care, covering approximately 74% of the population. An extrapolation process was employed to account for non-participating counties, emphasizing the need for caution when making comparisons with previous years due to methodological limitations.
The results reveal that the Texas BoS CoC identified 7,054 individuals experiencing homelessness in 2022, with a near-even split between sheltered and unsheltered populations. Age breakdowns showcase a diverse demographic, including adults over 25, children, unaccompanied youth, and individuals between 18-24 years old.
Demographic insights indicate a consistency with the ethnic composition of the CoC area, with 40% of respondents being Hispanic or Latinx. Disparities emerge with 22% of the homeless population being Black or African American, compared to 8% of the total population in the CoC area according to the US census. Gender identity and subpopulation-specific questions further enrich the data, revealing insights into the veterans, survivors of domestic violence, and chronically homeless populations.
In conclusion, the 2022 PIT count results offer a nuanced understanding of homelessness in Texas, showcasing the multifaceted nature of the issue. The information presented here is invaluable for policymakers, service providers, and advocates working towards ending homelessness in the region. For those seeking a visual representation, an infographic is provided, offering a concise snapshot of the key findings. For further inquiries or discussions, contact Ava Paredes at ava@thn.org.
This article underscores the complexities and challenges associated with homelessness, providing a robust foundation for informed decision-making and targeted interventions.
