Every Person Counts: PIT Count 2026
What is the PIT Count?
The Point-in-Time (PIT) count is a count of people who are experiencing homelessness on one night in January. This count helps provide a snapshot of who is homeless in our community. It is also an an opportunity to help us better understand the needs in our community so that we can advocate for resources to meet those needs and measure our progress towards ending homelessness. The PIT count counts persons who are homeless and staying in unsheltered locations and persons who are staying in shelters on the night of the PIT. The sheltered PIT count is conducted using our community's Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). The unsheltered count is conducted by finding and interviewing people who are not in a shelter on the night of the PIT. This year’s Point-in-Time Count is taking place on January 28, 2026.
Volunteering for the PIT Count
Volunteering for Unsheltered Street Count
The Unsheltered Street Count is taking place the night of January 28, 2026. To volunteer for the Unsheltered Street Count, please click this link for more information and to sign up: https://pit-count-handetroit.hub.arcgis.com/ .
Next Day Interviews
In addition to the Street Count on January 28, we will be conducting interviews of people at various soup kitchens and drop-in centers on January 29 and 30. These interviews are so that we may be able to identify addtional people who were experieincing unsheltered homlesnessness on the night of the 28th. To sign up to assist with next-day interviews, please click here: https://signup.com/go/OaUJihR
Please note that HAND reserves the right to approve and assign volunteers as needed. All volunteers must be at least 18 years old. Information on volunteer training will be provided after you sign up.
More information on volunteering, please reach out to Amanda Sternberg at amanda@handetroit.org
How can I help?
To show compassion in a practical way and to encourage cooperation, teams will distribute items of value to people who are homeless. You can help by donating these items through our Amazon Wishlist! Unisex items in adult sizes are preferred.
New Winter Hats
New Scarves
Thermal Blankets
New Mittens or Gloves
New Socks
Personal Hygiene Items (Travel size shampoo, soap, toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant)
Sponsor a Street Ambassador
Street Ambassadors are people who are currently, or formerly, homeless, who help our teams effectively engage with people on the streets. Make a financial donation of $100 to provide a stipend to a Street Ambassador. There are two ways to donate:
Donate by check
Checks may be made out to the:
Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND) and mailed to:
7650 Second Avenue, Suite 225
Detroit, MI 48202
Donate online
Past PIT Count Data
Full reports of the number of persons counted in past PIT counts may be found on HAND’s report page.