2026 Point-In-Time homelessness and youth count provides data snapshot
Phoenix (January 14, 2026) – On the last Tuesday of every January, long before the sun rises, more than 1,000 volunteers will fan out across the Valley, searching through streets, alleys, doorways, parks, riverbeds. It is part of the annual effort to count the number of people experiencing homelessness in the region on a single night of the year.
Key Facts:
- One Night Snapshot: The count, coordinated by the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) on behalf of the Maricopa Regional Continuum of Care (CoC), provides a one-night snapshot of the number of men, women, and children living in unsheltered situations or on the streets. Those in shelters will also be counted simultaneously to achieve a total point-in-time count.
- Volunteers Needed: Volunteers from local governments, nonprofits, and faith-based communities will participate in the count by fanning out across the Valley in teams. Where possible, they will conduct a brief survey of individuals to identify specific homelessness situations and determine the most needed resources. More information on how to take part is located on the Point-In-Time page on the MAG website.
- Media Availability: Media wishing to gather photos or video of the count are asked to coordinate with MAG as soon as possible, and no later than Thursday, January 22 to ensure we can match you with a team.
Specialized Youth Count:
This year, in addition to the annual Point-in-Time count, there will be a specialized extended count focused on youth experiencing homelessness in the Valley. The youth count will begin on January 27, the same day as the Point-in-Time count and will continue through February 13.
Youth experiencing homelessness often do not appear in the same locations where families and single adults are known to be, and they can require specialized outreach strategies to engage. Because of this, the extended count allows for targeted efforts over a longer period to more accurately capture the number of young people experiencing homelessness in our region.
Organizations that serve youth are encouraged to participate in this specialized count. More information on how to take part is located on the Point-In-Time page on the MAG website.
Why It Is Important:
“Homelessness may look like a centralized issue, only impacting the larger cities in our region. But we know homelessness is a valley-wide challenge that needs to be solved collectively,” said MAG Regional Council Chair, Alexis Hermosillo, Mayor of El Mirage. “The count is extremely valuable for determining how many people need resources and what type of resources are needed the most.”
"The Point-in-Time count is essential to how our Continuum of Care operates," said Tim Burch, Co-Chair of the Maricopa Regional Continuum of Care Board, and Tempe Community Health and Human Services Director. "It determines how much federal funding we can compete for, guides how we direct resources to providers, and gives us a baseline to measure our progress year over year. The count also sends a message that our community is paying attention—that every person experiencing homelessness matters and deserves to be seen. This year's addition of a specialized youth count reflects that same commitment."
By The Numbers:
- Last year’s homelessness Point-In-Time count recorded 9,734 people experiencing homelessness across the region. That reflected an overall increase of 3 percent.
- 81 percent of those included in the 2025 PIT count were adults aged 25+.
- Between 2024 and 2025, federal funding expired for more than 1,000 shelter beds across the region. The funding was instrumental in reducing unsheltered homelessness.
- Data from the 2026 count is expected to be available in late spring.
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