Homelessness in America is determined primarily through the Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, an annual count of sheltered and unsheltered homeless individuals conducted by local Continuums of Care (CoCs). The count is typically done in late January and includes:
- Sheltered Count: Individuals residing in emergency shelters or transitional housing.
- Unsheltered Count: Individuals sleeping outdoors, in vehicles, or in other locations not meant for habitation.