PHOENIX — Volunteers will again attempt on Jan. 23 to count how many people in Maricopa County are experiencing homelessness.
The annual Point-in-Time count has shown that the number of people in the Valley without a permanent residence has been steadily increasing over the last few years.
The 2023 survey counted 9,642 people experiencing some level of homelessness, which is about 72% more than the amount recorded in 2017, according to data collected by the Maricopa Association of Governments.
About half of the people recorded in the 2023 count were considered "sheltered," meaning they were residing in transitional housing or an emergency shelter. The other half were found on the streets or in places not meant for human habitation.
Those interested in volunteering for the PIT count in their community can contact a coordinator here.
The count is intended to provide a one-night snapshot of the number of people experiencing homelessness throughout the country. The data is used to help determine funding amounts for local agencies.
The most recent quarterly report on homelessness in Maricopa County shows that the number of actively homeless households and individuals saw a sharp drop in September 2023.
One notable event that's occurred since the 2023 PIT count is the clearing of a homeless encampment in downtown Phoenix. Known commonly as "The Zone," the city was forced to remove any tents or structures from this area after local residents and businesses filed a lawsuit.
Up to 1,000 people were living around The Zone at one point in time.
A PIT count wasn't conducted in 2021 due to the pandemic. But the subsequent count done in 2022 found that the number of unsheltered people in the Valley had increased by about 36%.
Results of the 2024 count should be released by April.
