The Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness (TPCH) has released the results of the 2025 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count—a snapshot of homelessness in our region. Conducted annually each January, the PIT Count helps us understand how many of our neighbors are experiencing homelessness and the capacity required of the homeless response system to meet community need. This year’s effort was the most thorough yet, with over 400 dedicated community volunteers helping count people across the region—including, for the first time, in Catalina and Ajo, Arizona.
On the night of the 2025 count, 2,218 people were identified as experiencing homelessness across Pima County—both sheltered and unsheltered. This reflects a 5.5% increase over last year’s total. However, when placed in context, this increase is far more modest than the 18% national increase in homelessness recorded in 2024.
What’s particularly noteworthy is that 100% of the increase in Pima County came from sheltered homelessness, while unsheltered homelessness remained virtually unchanged since 2024. This stability is a testament to the resilience of our local homeless response system, which has worked tirelessly to bring more people indoors and provide safer, more stable environments.
While the total number of people experiencing homelessness remains high, there are several encouraging signs that our local strategies are working:
Since 2022, overall PIT numbers have remained relatively flat—holding the line even as other regions experience steep increases.
Unsheltered homelessness has dropped by 23% since 2022. Over that same period, sheltered homelessness increased by 63%, showing that the system is effectively scaling to meet demand and provide safer alternatives to the street.
Youth homelessness among 18–24-year-olds has decreased by 32%.
These trends reflect intentional investments in increasing system capacity, outreach, and strategizing around unsheltered homelessness —investments that are saving lives and opening doors.
Despite the progress, the 2025 PIT Count also highlights critical areas of concern:
Racial disparities remain persistent—Black and Indigenous populations continue to be disproportionately impacted by homelessness in our community.
Among people experiencing homelessness, there are rising numbers of individuals experiencing serious mental illness, substance use disorders, and domestic violence, highlighting the complex and interwoven crises many clients are facing.
While more people are being sheltered, far too many remain unsheltered, facing the daily risks of extreme weather, violence, and instability.
The PIT Count is more than a number—it’s a call to action. It can indicate where we’re making gains and where we must do more. Our shared goal is not just to manage homelessness but to end it.
We must continue to:
Prevent homelessness by investing in deeply affordable housing
Expand shelter options with dignity and care
Address the root causes of homelessness, including behavioral health needs and both economic prosperity and inequity
Center the voices of those with lived experience in every aspect of planning and response
View the summary report of the posted here. For media inquiries, please contact Neto Portillo at ernesto.portillo@tucsonaz.gov.
