Point In Time Count

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Understanding Our Homeless Population

Every two years, Marin County does a complete count of every person experiencing homelessness in Marin. This Point-in-Time Count helps us understand the needs of our population and track our progress decreasing homelessness.

2024 Count

Marin released its preliminary 2024 Point in Time results on May 20, 2024. The results show a 2.8% overall decrease, including a 12% decrease in homeless families with children, a 24% decrease in people experiencing chronic homelessness (prolonged periods of homelessness and severe disabilities), and a 32% decrease in homeless veterans.

This year’s count occurred on January 23, 2024. The count is based on visual observations of unsheltered individuals and groups, as well as a census of people in shelters. Marin County Health and Human Services leads the Count process with the help of community partners. 

The County is grateful to everyone who contributed to the Point in Time Count. The community-based organizations, outreach teams, volunteer counters, city staff, and people with lived expertise do a tremendous amount of work to make the PIT possible. 

Continuums of Care in the U.S. conducts a Point-In-Time Count on a single day during the last 10 days of January every other year. Marin used methodology recommended by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). 

Applied Survey Research (ASR), a social research firm with extensive experience in homeless enumeration and needs assessment, partnered with Marin HHS and the Marin County Continuum of Care (CoC) to canvass every census tract of the County. 

Applied Survey Research also followed up with face-to-face surveys to produce a Point-in-Time Count of homelessness in Marin County. More detailed information based on one-on-one surveys, including demographic data, will be available this summer.

HUD’s broad definition of homeless includes those in a place not designed for sleeping (e.g., car, park, abandoned building) and those in a publicly or privately operated shelter (e.g., congregate shelter, transitional housing, motels paid for by charitable organizations, or by government programs for low-income individuals).

  

 

2022 Count

The 2022 Marin County Point-in-Time was a community-wide effort conducted on February 17, 2022.

  

 

2021 Vehicle Count

Marin did not conduct a full Point-in-Time Count in 2021 due to the COVID pandemic. However, as one step in determining the extent of new homelessness, Marin did a no-contact count of people living in cars and RVs. 

  

2019 Count

Cover of the 2019 Point In Time Count Report

Marin County's 2019 Point-in-Time Count is took place on Monday, January 28, 2019. In the early morning hours, volunteers teamed up with expert guides (individuals currently/previously experiencing homelessness) recommended by service providers. These teams drove/walked all over assigned routes from 5:00 AM to 9:00 AM.

  

2017 Count

Cover of the 2017 Point In Time Count Report

In 2017, Marin County conducted our Point-in-Time Count on Friday, January 27th. Community volunteers worked alongside currently or previously homeless guides to count the number of homeless individuals across all areas of Marin County.