SWACH helps in effort to assess houselessness in 2025 Point-in-Time Count

In late January, SWACH staff members Basevi Adamo, Ashley Gaffney, Janyce Richardson, and Heather Sheppard joined organizations across Clark County to participate in the Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, a critical annual effort to assess houselessness and connect people with much needed resources.

The PIT Count is a federally required survey that provides a snapshot of both sheltered and unsheltered houselessness in communities nationwide. The data collected helps determine how resources are allocated, informs policy decisions, and measures the effectiveness of houselessness reduction strategies. This year in Clark County, Council for the Homeless (CFTH) led the effort, coordinating with local organizations like SWACH, to ensure as many people as possible were counted and connected to support.

2024 Point-in-Time Count:

2024 Point-in-Time Count (CFTH)

“Council for the Homeless (CFTH) is our community's Continuum of Care, which is the entity that is responsible for conducting and coordinating the count,” said Heather Sheppard, SWACH’s Equity & Collaborative Impact Manager. “The PIT Count is crucial for allocating resources, developing policies, measuring performance of homelessness reduction strategies, and raising public awareness.”

SWACH partnered with CFTH to survey the Vancouver Waterfront zone, one of 12 designated areas across the county. Beginning at 7:00 AM, the team worked together to identify and engage with individuals experiencing homelessness. Alongside gathering data, they distributed vital resources such as hygiene kits, Narcan, bus passes, and food, while also directing individuals to Project Homeless Connect (PHC).

“The PHC is a huge resource fair held the same day as the count and provides people with resources ranging from housing assessments to haircuts,” said Sheppard. “The folks that aren't counted during the PIT are often captured at the PHC. “

The PIT Count goes beyond data collection—it’s an opportunity to connect with individuals, understand their experiences, and identify ways to better support them. By participating, SWACH employees reaffirmed their commitment to health equity and community-driven solutions, ensuring that every person has access to the resources they need.

Final numbers for the PIT Count will be compiled by CFTH HMIS administrator and are expected to be announced around May.