The Homeless Continuum of Care Corner- Summer 2019


2019 Rural Arizona Point In Time Count

In January, almost 300 volunteers throughout the Arizona Balance of State Continuum of Care (AZBoSCoC) identified and interviewed unsheltered persons experiencing homelessness in the 13 rural counties as part of the annual HUD Point in Time (PIT) count. Ultimately, the count of unsheltered persons is added to data collected from homeless persons residing in shelters to get an annual count and snapshot of all persons experiencing homelessness in rural Arizona. HUD, ADOH and our local communities use this data to evaluate trends and the progress made towards ending homelessness.

For 2019, the PIT process counted 2,021 persons experiencing homelessness in this region. While this is a significant number, it represents ongoing positive trends.

  • The 2019 PIT count represented a 7.6% decrease in homelessness compared to 2018’s figure of 2,187 persons counted.

  • Since 2009 when the PIT count began, rural Arizona’s overall homelessness is down 38%.

  • For the third consecutive year, AZBoSCoC has counted more persons sheltered than unsheltered.

  • The PIT count showed reductions in a number of subpopulations compared to the 2018 count including veterans (-16%) and unaccompanied youth (-20%).

While there is still significant work to be done and this is just one data set, overall the 2019 PIT count is further evidence that the AZBoSCoC continues to make progress towards its goal of ending homelessness in our 13 rural counties. A special thanks to all of the volunteers, community leads and other partners who made the 2019 PIT count a success. The AZBoSCoC will be releasing its annual report on the 2019 PIT count results and detailed information this summer.

Welcome Gila County

The AZBoSCoC is excited to welcome Gila County as the 10th rural county to officially establish a Local Coalition to End Homelessness (LCEH) committed to working with the AZBoSCoC to end homelessness in their communities. The group held their first meeting in April with representation from the Gila County Board of Supervisors and staff, the cities of Payson and Globe, Arizona Department of Economic Services, and numerous services providers and community organizations serving the homeless population of Gila County.

Housing Matters | Summer 2019