​On January 23 and 24, more than 190 volunteers surveyed individuals and families experiencing homelessness during the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) count.  The volunteers were from the Homeless and Housing Alliance (HHA), Palm Beach County (PBC) Community Services Department (CSD), PBC Parks & Recreation, PBC Youth Services, Veterans Affairs Administration, School District of Palm Beach County, Homeless Coalition of Palm Beach County, United Way, and other nonprofit organizations.  Volunteers also included municipal staff and college students.  In addition, the PBC Sheriff’s Office and law enforcement officers from the cities of Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, Rivera Beach, and West Palm Beach provided assistance to the field outreach teams conducting the surveys in abandoned buildings, parks, wooded areas and stationary places such as food pantries, soup kitchens and libraries.

During this 24-hour period, the surveyors identified 1,510 individuals and families as homeless.

This year’s count indicated a 17 percent decrease in veterans experiencing homelessness and a 7 percent decrease in youth homelessness (ages 18-24).  This year’s count also indicated a 43 percent increase in senior homelessness, 11 percent increase in chronic homelessness and a 5 percent increase in family homelessness. Although the count reflects an increase in senior homelessness, this population represents 12 percent of the total homeless population.

Throughout the past year, the Homeless and Housing Alliance launched initiatives to intentionally focus on decreasing veteran and youth homelessness, aligning with national homeless initiatives across the country.  Several months ago, the HHA developed a workgroup that includes the Area Agency on Aging, Community Service Department’s Division of Senior Services, Gulfstream Goodwill Industries, Ruth Rales Jewish Family Services and other entities, to develop strategies to prevent senior homelessness and to house those who are currently unsheltered.  

“Every year we come together with our shared belief and commitment to effectively serve residents experiencing homelessness and work towards our common goal of ensuring that homelessness in Palm Beach County is rare, brief and nonrecurring,” said Wendy Tippett, director of CSD’s Human and Veteran Services Division.  “We know that our work is not over, which is why we use the PIT count numbers to make data-driven decisions on how to provide essential services to the people who are most in need.”

For additional information regarding the 2020 PIT count, please contact Human and Veteran Services Division Director Wendy Tippett at (561) 355-4772.