Due to the rising cases of COVID-19 currently experienced in Pima County, the Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness has canceled the 2022 Unsheltered Point in Time Count, Everyone Counts 2022!
Each year, local communities are required to conduct a count of persons experiencing homelessness within their region. The TPCH Continuum of Care Board conducted an emergency meeting on January 21, 2022 and voted to cancel the 2022 unsheltered Point in Time Count, commonly referred to as the “street count”. The “street count” planned for the morning of Wednesday, January 26 will not occur and TPCH encourages all volunteers and others to avoid unnecessary contact and practice enhanced safety precautions during the current COVID-19 surge.
Will TPCH be penalized for not completing the Point in Time count in 2022?
The decision to cancel the unsheltered Point in Time count was made after consultation with local health authorities and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In consideration of the current surge of COVID-19 infections in Pima County, HUD has indicated willingness to coordinate with TPCH to complete Point in Time requirements using alternative data sets and without conducting a census or street count. This approach, once fully approved by HUD, will be implemented in accordance with HUD Point in Time requirements ensuring that TPCH is not penalized for the decision not to conduct a census or “street count” in 2022.
A Note of Thanks to our Point in Time Count Volunteers!
Despite the ongoing health concern, more than 300 local community members volunteered to participate in this year’s Point in Time Count. We salute these extraordinary and committed community partners and wish to thank you for your dedication to supporting our unhoused neighbors. Although we won’t hold a count this year, we encourage you to stay connected to TPCH and join us next year. In the meantime, please consider volunteering with one of the many amazing organizations serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness in our community.
