How many people are experiencing homelessness in Indianapolis? Annual count happens Monday

An annual count of people experiencing homelessness in Indianapolis happens Monday. The Point-In-Time Count is conducted by the Coalition for Homelessness Intervention and Prevention, or CHIP, to assess how many people are without a home on a single night in January.

Volunteers will start surveying people on Jan. 23 to better understand housing situations and challenges. Methodology accepted during the pandemic will again be used this year. Volunteers will conduct surveys throughout the week at a variety of locations, although they will ask about housing situations for the single night.

The count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to receive federal funding. This year, volunteers will use an electronic survey.  A grant from the IndyGo Foundation will provide bus passes to people who are surveyed.

The census is conducted to better understand homelessness in Marion County.

“The PIT Count provides vital data for our community as we work collectively to advance housing solutions for those living unhoused,” CHIP Executive Director Chelsea Haring-Cozzi said.

The 2022 PIT Count found 1,761 people experiencing homelessness, down from 2020 but higher than pre-pandemic levels.

The results of the 2023 count will be out later this year.

Contact WFYI city government and policy reporter Jill Sheridan at jsheridan@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @JillASheridan.