Reduce Homelessness

More of the Story

The 2020 Point-In-Time Count, which counts the number of individuals experiencing homelessness on a single night, happened in January 2020 and showed an 11% reduction over 2010, missing the goal of a 50% reduction. The Point-In-Time Count for 2021 was canceled due to the COVID-19 crisis.

Additional local data on homeless individuals can be found in the 2020 Point-In-Time Count Report from South Alamo Regional Alliance for the Homeless (SARAH). At this time, SARAH does not disaggregate by race and ethnicity.

Additionally, communities across the United States are reconsidering how they track the number of homeless individuals who are sheltered and unsheltered as a result of COVID-19. The Point-In-Time Count has been critiqued for its infrequency—happening only once a year. In 2021, SARAH will use the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), which is the system local institutions utilize to count those they are serving. Communities are also trying to determine alternate ways of tracking data about their homeless populations, including Community Solutions, and millions of dollars have been granted to Bexar County organizations to directly combat youth homelessness. More information on the ongoing work can be found on SARAH's website.