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Is the Point-in-Time Count accurately representing homelessness in Pima County?

Questioning the Count: Local advocates challenge methods of measuring homelessness in Pima County
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TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — The annual Point-in-Time Count aims to provide a snapshot of homelessness on a single night in Pima County, as reported by Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness. Last year, data indicated a total of 2,100 individuals experiencing homelessness, marking a slight decrease from 2,209 individuals recorded in 2023.

This data directly influences funding for local solutions addressing homelessness. However, questions arise regarding the effectiveness of this counting method.

Due to privacy considerations, details about the counting process were scarce in previous years. However, this year, a team leader provided insight into the challenges that may lead to an inaccurate representation of homelessness in the region.

"In reality, there are so many more unhoused people than we are seeing, but there are also so many more unhoused people than they're counting," said Victoria Devasto, a member of mutual aid group Community on Wheels.

On Wednesday morning, volunteers conducted interviews with individuals experiencing homelessness, inquiring about their sleeping arrangements from the previous night, among other demographic questions. With the consent of interviewees, members of Community on Wheels allowed KGUN 9 to document the process.

The volunteers described how they began their efforts at 6 a.m., regardless of the rain forecast for the day. They believe that's just one example of the circumstances that may impact the count's accuracy.

"We are not getting an accurate count right now, in this moment. However, if it had rained today, it would be halved, at least. So that would be the number that goes into all of the reports."

She provided a map of the area her team was assigned to paint a picture of her point, describing an unrealistic number of volunteers for the areas they were covering.

“We are not getting an accurate count, we are not getting accurate numbers. Starting an event at 6 a.m. is ridiculous in my opinion. I know that’s federal and locally, they don’t have control over that, but we do not have the resources, we do not have the outreach team, we do not have the people. We do not have so much in order to get close to an accurate count,” Devasto said.

The Point-in-Time Count methodology is common in cities with significant homeless populations, including those in California, which has the highest number of homeless in the United States.

An organizer of Pima County's Point in Time Count explained the methodology earlier this week in an interview with KGUN 9.

"In order to apply for funding, HUD requires the count to happen in this fashion in the last two weeks of January. And so it's required during that time because it's required for all communities across the US, and in most places, it's very cold in the last two weeks of January. And so because of that, most places are able to do this count in shelters. Tucson's much different," said Corrie Brinley.

Still, the team leader aims to shed light on how these challenges uniquely affect Tucson, hoping to inspire a broader discussion and lead to more effective solutions for the homeless population.

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Reyna Preciado is a reporter for KGUN 9, she joined the KGUN 9 team in July of 2022 after graduating Arizona State University. Share your story ideas with Reyna by emailing reyna.preciado@kgun9.com or by connecting on Instagram, or Twitter.