Allegheny County is recruiting about 400 volunteers for Allegheny Counts, an annual initiative to estimate the number of people experiencing homelessness on a single night.
The project represents the local implementation of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s annual Point-in-Time Count, conducted across the nation each January.
Data gathered by volunteers helps local officials better understand homelessness in the community while fulfilling federal funding requirements for housing programs.
Participation is open to community members ages 18 and older, including residents, students, local employers and community organizations. Volunteers receive training before working in assigned neighborhood teams that travel by foot or vehicle.
Teams conduct brief surveys with individuals who report experiencing homelessness, recording only observational details for those who are sleeping to avoid disturbing them.
Alex Jutca, director of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services, highlighted the role residents play in gathering accurate data.
“Allegheny Counts is an opportunity for residents to play a direct role in helping us better understand homelessness in our community,” Jutca said. “Reliable data is critical to understanding trends among people experiencing homelessness and ensuring resources are directed where they can have the greatest impact.”
Multiple regional organizations and educational institutions are supporting recruitment efforts and night-of operations, including the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh Cares, Animal Friends, Community Human Services and the City of Pittsburgh. Higher education partners include Carlow University, Carnegie Mellon University, Community College of Allegheny County, Duquesne University, Point Park University and the University of Pittsburgh.
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