Point in Time Count

Be a Part of the Change in Our Community!

Alameda County, in partnership with the City of Oakland City Administrator's Office of Homelessness Solutions invites you to participate in the biennial Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. This crucial event helps us understand the scale of homelessness in our community. We are seeking 500 or more volunteers to ensure a comprehensive and successful count. The PIT Count will be held on Thursday, January 22, 2026.

What is PIT Count?

The Point-in-Time Count is an estimated census of people experiencing homelessness, including both sheltered and unsheltered individuals in a 24-hour period.  The count occurs every two years in January.  The PIT Count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  This count includes individuals and families sleeping outside, in vehicles, in emergency shelters, and transitional housing.

The City of Oakland’s role in the PIT Count is to conduct counting of the portion of Oakland’s unsheltered individuals i.e., those living outside in vehicles, encampments, and other locations considered unhabitable.  The City of Oakland will not focus on the counting of individuals living in emergency shelters or other city and county intervention and transitional sites. The City’s efforts will be led by the Office of Homelessness Solutions with the assistance of various city departments and the City’s contracted outreach team.

Why is PIT Count Important for the City of Oakland and How is the Information Used?

The collection of this data is used:

  • to measure the scale of homelessness
  • to track changes over time
  • to inform local strategic planning and city operations and interventions
  • to guide policy decisions about where to allocate resources and funding for services and intervention sites
  • in additional to funding decisions and grant applications, it ultimately helps us to track and measure the effectiveness of our policies, programming, services, funding, and overall efforts to combat homelessness

Why Volunteer?

Your participation is key to the success of the PIT Count. Volunteers help in surveying, data collection, and engagement with the homeless community. Your contribution will provide invaluable insights that aid in the development of targeted solutions.

We Need You:

  • Individuals: Bring your compassion and commitment to make a difference.
  • Private Sector: Show your corporate social responsibility by encouraging employee participation.
  • Community Organizations: Collaborate with us to strengthen our community's response to homelessness.

Join us and use this link to sign up to volunteer

  • Sign up for the Point In Time Count. Make sure to select "OAKLAND" for your service location.
  • Training: Attend a virtual training(s) session to prepare for the count.
  • Participate: Join us on Thursday, January 22, 2026 to conduct the PIT Count across Oakland and Alameda County. There will also be other administrative and logistical support volunteer activities in preparation for this event.

Your involvement in the PIT Count reflects the strength and compassion of our community. Together, we can gain a clearer understanding of homelessness in Oakland and work towards effective solutions.

Let's Count, Oakland! For more information, please contact pitcount@oaklandca.gov. 

 

Back to top