Counting Neighbors, Not Numbers: The 2027 Point-in-Time Count
November 5, 2026
Cayce Jamil, PhD
Senior Management Analyst
Division of Housing Innovation and Stabilization Services
Mecklenburg County Community Support Services
On Wednesday, January 27, 2027, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community will come together to for the 2027 Point-in-Time Count. This annual event is more than counting the number of people experiencing homelessness. It is an opportunity to recognize our neighbors, strengthen community connections, and support efforts to create lasting solutions for some of Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s most vulnerable residents.
This post explains why the PIT Count matters and how you can get involved in making sure everybody counts.
POINT-IN-TIME COUNT
The Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, led by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), is part of a nationwide effort to better understand homelessness Conducted each January, the PIT Count provides a snapshot of homelessness on a single night by collecting information about the number of people experiencing homelessness, their circumstances, and their housing situations.
This data plays a critical role in informing local planning efforts, guiding the allocation of resources, and contributing to national reports that influence homelessness and housing funding , policies, and strategies.
Last year, Charlotte-Mecklenburg counted 2,018 people experiencing homelessness. This included 120 families with minor children, 90 unaccompanied youth ages 18-24, and 499 individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness. As preparations for the 2027 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count continue, community involvement is essential. Community support and engagement are essential to not only make this year’s PIT a success but also to continue moving forward the work to prevent and end homelessness in Charlotte-Mecklenburg.
Housing Inventory Count
Conducted on the same night as the PIT Count, the Housing Inventory Count (HIC) measures the capacity of the local Continuum of Care to serve people experiencing homelessness. The HIC captures information about the community’s availability of emergency shelters, transitional housing, and permanent housing solutions, like rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing.
The HIC is a critical component to understanding trends in homelessness and the system’s overall capacity to meet the temporary and permanent housing needs of people experiencing homelessness in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Together, the PIT and HIC provide a more complete picture of homelessness in the County and help the community make decisions about how best to allocate resources.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
Mecklenburg County Community Support Services and Hearts for the Invisible Charlotte Coalition are leading the 2027 Point-in-Time Count, and there are several ways you can help ensure everybody counts:
- Volunteer Your Time: On January 27, 2027, volunteers will help administer surveys with people experiencing homelessness. If you have never volunteered before and would like to learn more, we will be hosting 2 info sessions for prospective volunteers. You can register to volunteer here.
- Donate: Support the 2027 PIT Count by donating essential items for people sleeping outside in our community. Community members can purchase needed items through the Amazon Wishlist, or make a financial contribution to help provide supplies and food for survey participants and volunteers during the PIT Count. To make a financial contribution to Hearts for Invisible Coalition, the lead outreach organization in our community, click here. Monetary donations will also be used to purchase 10-ride bus passes for survey participants.
- Spread the Word: Help raise awareness by sharing information about the PIT Count with friends, family, and networks via social media using the #EverybodyCountsCLT hashtag.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Accurate data is essential to understanding and addressing homelessness in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Since 2020, unsheltered homelessness in the area has doubled, which underscores the importance of reliable information and coordinated community action.
When combined with local housing and system performance data, PIT Count results provide valuable information that helps shape policy decisions, strengthen services, and guide investments aimed at ending homelessness. By volunteering, donating, sharing information, or supporting outreach efforts, you can help ensure that everybody counts and that our community has the information needed to build a stronger response to homelessness.
If you have questions or need more information, please reach out to PIT@MeckNC.gov.
