Annual Point in Time Count

The Point in Time Count (PIT) and companion Housing Inventory Count (HIC) occur every January. In Minnesota, the official count date is generally the night of the fourth Wednesday of the month.

The count includes everyone who is in unsheltered situations as well as in shelter and housing on one night. It also includes all programs designated for housing or sheltering people experiencing homelessness. 
  • PEOPLE are counted in the Point in Time Count (PIT). 
  • HOUSING units and beds are counted in the Housing Inventory (HIC).   

Want more details? Review quick summaries of the PIT and HIC from statewide data system administrator, ICA. 

Key Details for 2026

Official Date of the 2026 Point in Time Count: Night of Wednesday, January 28, 2025. 
  • Housing Inventory reported for the same date.

Survey periods (when to do surveys): 
  • Street outreach counts: Sunset January 28 to Sunrise January 29
  • Event-based counts: Thursday, January 29 or Friday, January 30
  • Service-based counts: Thursday January 29- Tuesday, February 3
​
​Date for surveys to be submitted in PITLIVE: Friday, February 6, 2026. ​
Date for housing inventory to be updated: Friday, February 13, 2026. ​
CoC-wide PIT Count Training for Surveyors: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 9:30am. Hosted on Zoom >> Access the recording

Q&A Time for PIT and HIC data collection and reporting: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 3pm to 4pm.  >> Register now

Additional information for Local Count Leads and Homelessness Response Teams

Forms and Guides

Point in Time Count

People in Housing/shelter - in HMIS
Includes stayers in shelter, transitional housing, host homes, rapid rehousing, and supportive housing.
​
TRAINING
​REPORTING 
  • Data collection is completed via HMIS.​ Ensure data in HMIS is current and complete for your program(s). 
  • New program? If you have a new program that began operating before January 28, 2026 but has not been set up in HMIS, please submit a Project Request Form. 
People in Housing/Shelter - NOT in HMIS
Includes stayers in shelter, transitional housing, host homes, rapid rehousing, and supportive housing.
​
TRAINING
REPORTING
  • Permanent Housing - submit total stayer # with HIC updates in online form  - January 29 - February 13
  • Shelter and Transitional Programs - by appointment (combined with HIC reporting) - January 29 - February 13
    • Schedule an appointment
DOWNLOADS
people in unsheltered locations
Includes people staying outside or in other non=housing locations (vehicles, tents, public buildings, storage units, 24-hour businesses, etc.) 
​
TRAINING
​REPORTING
  • Official reporting: ​PITLIVE link for submitting unsheltered survey and observation data. 
  • For local/unofficial use only:
DOWNLOADS

Housing Inventory

Housing/Shelter Units & Beds - in HMIS
Includes shelter, transitional housing, host homes, rapid rehousing, and supportive housing.
​
TRAINING​ ​
​REPORTING 
  • Online update form (AirTable). Opens during the week of the PIT. Look for link and instructions from Jenn V. 
  • New program? If you have a new program that began operating before January 28, 2026 but has not been set up in HMIS, please submit a Project Request Form. 
Housing/Shelter Units & Beds - NOT in HMIS
Includes shelter, transitional housing, host homes, rapid rehousing, and supportive housing.
​
TRAINING ​
REPORTING
  • Permanent Housing - submit total stayer # with HIC updates in online form  - January 29 - February 13
  • Shelter and Transitional Programs - by appointment (combined with PIT reporting) - January 29 - February 13
    • Schedule an appointment

Cheat Sheets for Unsheltered Counts