Overview: The Point in Time Count is an annual effort to estimate the number of people experiencing homelessness across Knoxville-Knox County. This information is critical to understanding the experience of all neighbors across the community. We have adapted the PIT count survey to help fill in key gaps, so that community partners from across the region can better understand the local landscape of unsheltered homelessness.
Each year a successful count requires extensive partner, volunteer, and community engagement. We had over 50 volunteers help support the 2026 Point in Time Count, with over 15 partner organizations represented. The local planning process is spearheaded by a Steering Committee with administrative and logistics support from the Office of Housing Stability. In 2026 the PIT count newly partnered with the United Way Volunteer East TN platform to help register and coordinate volunteers. We will be using the same platform for 2027 – so if you are interested, check out our landing page and sign up to be notified when new opportunities are posted.
We are interested in hearing how this year's Point in Time Count went from everyone who participated, from the planning stage, doing survey outreach, or as a come and be counted host. Please complete by: Friday 02/27/2026. It is only 2 questions, and should take 2-5 minutes, depending on how much feedback you have. Click here to go to the survey.
The 2026 count is wrapped up for volunteers, but the work of compiling and organizing the data for submission to HUD is still in process. KnoxHMIS is working hard, and will submit our final PIT/HIC data to HUD for approval.
Once we get confirmation that HUD has approved our data submission, the numbers will be released locally, as a Press Release and with an accompanying 2026 PIT Report, likely no later than by the end of July 2026.
Planning will be starting soon for the 2027 PIT Count. Consider being a part of the Steering Committee, and helping to lead the administration and planning of the count. Reach out to Arielle.benson@knoxtnhousing.org for more information, or if you already know you are interested in joining the effort. We are always looking for new voices to join this important community effort.