Philadelphia's Homeless Count: Why the City Holds the Annual Survey in January Despite Drawbacks
Every year, volunteers across Philadelphia fan out to document the city's homeless population on a single night in late January. The point-in-time count is a federally-mandated survey that informs policies and funding aimed at helping those experiencing homelessness. However, despite its importance, there are concerns about the timing of the annual event.
The 2025 point-in-time count showed a staggering increase in unhoused individuals, with 1,178 people counted as unsheltered, up 21% from 2024. This figure represents only a subset of those experiencing homelessness, as it does not account for individuals living in emergency, transitional, or safe-haven housing. Nationwide, the number of people experiencing homelessness has risen by 18%, with 771,480 individuals counted in 2024.
So why is Philadelphia conducting its homeless count in January? According to officials, the timing helps minimize statistical noise and captures people on public assistance who may only be able to pay for housing for a short period after receiving benefits. Additionally, doing the count during the coldest time of year may provide a more accurate picture of those truly without a place to go.
However, there are drawbacks to holding the annual count in January. For one, it can lead to people seeking shelter in vacant buildings or cars to escape the elements, which are not counted by volunteers for safety reasons. The survey also fails to capture individuals who may be experiencing homelessness but are instead doubling up with family and friends, or those living in hospitals, jails, or prisons.
Furthermore, the count only provides a snapshot of homelessness on a single day and does not reflect trends over the course of a year. As a result, it can be misleading to assume that the point-in-time count is representative of the scale of the problem being tackled.
Despite these limitations, Philadelphia has taken steps to address homelessness. Mayor Cherelle Parker's $2 billion initiative aims to preserve and develop new housing units, implement a new mortgage program, and offer rental assistance to increase the city's affordable housing stock. The city has also opened several recovery housing complexes, including Riverview Wellness Village, which provides 336 beds for individuals coming out of inpatient drug treatment programs.
To address the shortage of affordable housing, Project HOME notes that it is often not just a matter of income level but also access to employment. As Candice Player, vice president of advocacy and street outreach at Project HOME, explains, "There have been times I've seen folks with security guard uniforms on from companies you would recognize, and they're there because they need lunch or a place to rest." These individuals are housing insecure, even if they have jobs.
Philadelphia is also working to improve its shelter system. The city is adding more family beds, including 350 at the new facility opening on Old York Road in Logan, with half reserved for families. Additionally, the city has increased its shelter bed capacity during Code Blue declarations and distributed grant funding to open new shelters and expand behavioral health services.
While there are challenges to conducting the annual point-in-time count, it remains a crucial tool in understanding homelessness in Philadelphia. As Player notes, "The thought is, if you're outside during what's likely to be the coldest time of year, you really, really have no place to go."
Every year, volunteers across Philadelphia fan out to document the city's homeless population on a single night in late January. The point-in-time count is a federally-mandated survey that informs policies and funding aimed at helping those experiencing homelessness. However, despite its importance, there are concerns about the timing of the annual event.
The 2025 point-in-time count showed a staggering increase in unhoused individuals, with 1,178 people counted as unsheltered, up 21% from 2024. This figure represents only a subset of those experiencing homelessness, as it does not account for individuals living in emergency, transitional, or safe-haven housing. Nationwide, the number of people experiencing homelessness has risen by 18%, with 771,480 individuals counted in 2024.
So why is Philadelphia conducting its homeless count in January? According to officials, the timing helps minimize statistical noise and captures people on public assistance who may only be able to pay for housing for a short period after receiving benefits. Additionally, doing the count during the coldest time of year may provide a more accurate picture of those truly without a place to go.
However, there are drawbacks to holding the annual count in January. For one, it can lead to people seeking shelter in vacant buildings or cars to escape the elements, which are not counted by volunteers for safety reasons. The survey also fails to capture individuals who may be experiencing homelessness but are instead doubling up with family and friends, or those living in hospitals, jails, or prisons.
Furthermore, the count only provides a snapshot of homelessness on a single day and does not reflect trends over the course of a year. As a result, it can be misleading to assume that the point-in-time count is representative of the scale of the problem being tackled.
Despite these limitations, Philadelphia has taken steps to address homelessness. Mayor Cherelle Parker's $2 billion initiative aims to preserve and develop new housing units, implement a new mortgage program, and offer rental assistance to increase the city's affordable housing stock. The city has also opened several recovery housing complexes, including Riverview Wellness Village, which provides 336 beds for individuals coming out of inpatient drug treatment programs.
To address the shortage of affordable housing, Project HOME notes that it is often not just a matter of income level but also access to employment. As Candice Player, vice president of advocacy and street outreach at Project HOME, explains, "There have been times I've seen folks with security guard uniforms on from companies you would recognize, and they're there because they need lunch or a place to rest." These individuals are housing insecure, even if they have jobs.
Philadelphia is also working to improve its shelter system. The city is adding more family beds, including 350 at the new facility opening on Old York Road in Logan, with half reserved for families. Additionally, the city has increased its shelter bed capacity during Code Blue declarations and distributed grant funding to open new shelters and expand behavioral health services.
While there are challenges to conducting the annual point-in-time count, it remains a crucial tool in understanding homelessness in Philadelphia. As Player notes, "The thought is, if you're outside during what's likely to be the coldest time of year, you really, really have no place to go."
. think about it, most ppl are too busy surviving the winter to even think about finding a new home. plus, doing it during the coldest time of year does give a more accurate picture of those who are truly homeless. and hey, 1,178 people might seem like a lot but its still a drop in the bucket compared to the total number of ppl struggling with housing insecurity 
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. On the other hand, doing it during the coldest month might actually give a more accurate picture of those without a roof over their heads 
January might actually make sense for a count, but isn't it kinda harsh on ppl seeking shelter just cuz it's cold outside? Shouldn't we be counting everyone who needs help, regardless of the temp? 
and adding more family beds is amazing for families with kids 
. but let's keep in mind that it's not just about housing, we need jobs too 
. access to employment is key for those who are housing insecure... that security guard uniform thing is so eye opening 
, but holding the homeless count then makes sense, I guess. It's like trying to get a snapshot of someone in a photo - it might not capture the whole picture, but it gives you an idea of where they are at that one moment in time 
. It's not perfect, and there are definitely flaws, but at least Philly is tryin' to tackle homelessness head-on 
. Maybe instead of countin' people on just one night, they could be lookin' at trends over a longer period? Just sayin' 
. I mean, who wants to freeze their bum off just so some volunteers can grab a few stats? 
. They're trying to catch people who just got some benefits and are gonna lose 'em soon, but that means the number goes up and down all the time, making it hard to figure out what's really going on 
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. Still, I wish they could find a better way to do this, one that includes more people who are living in tough spots 
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And it's so unfair that the count doesn't capture the whole picture - people are double uppin', stayin' in hospitals, or even just crashin' on friends' couches. It's like, we gotta think outside the box (or in this case, the shelter). 
️. And what about all the people who double up with family and friends? Don't they deserve some representation too? 
, and those places ain't counted. And what about people who are "doubling up" w/ family & friends? Or those stuck in hospitals, jails, or prisons? 
It's like we're gettin' a partial picture of homelessness, ya know? 
. And I love how Project HOME is addressing the issue by looking at employment and access to housing - that's so important 
. But hey, $2 billion is a solid start to addressing homelessness, and more affordable housing options are on the way 
... maybe we can get those numbers down in 2026?
. 21% increase in just one year is crazy... and I get why they do it in January, but it still doesn't sit right with me. They gotta weigh the pros and cons, I guess. It's like trying to take a temp on someone when you're not exactly sure how much that number reflects their overall situation. Maybe doing it at different times would give us more of an accurate picture? 
The fact that Philly has seen a 21% increase in unhoused individuals is crazy