Press Releases | Annual Homelessness Count Takes Place on January 28

News Releases

Phoenix (January 14, 2025) — Before the sun rises, more than 1,000 volunteers will scan alleys, parks, riverbeds, streets, doorways, and other areas on January 28, 2025, in an annual effort to count the number of people experiencing homelessness in the region on a single night of the year.
January 14, 2025

2025 Point-In-Time homelessness count provides data snapshot; volunteers needed

For Immediate ReleaseContact: Jeff Sabato, MAG, 602-452-5073

Phoenix (January 14, 2025) Before the sun rises, more than 1,000 volunteers will scan alleys, parks, riverbeds, streets, doorways, and other areas on January 28, 2025, in an annual effort to count the number of people experiencing homelessness in the region on a single night of the year.

Key Facts:

  • One Night Snapshot: The count, coordinated by the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) on behalf of the Maricopa Regional Continuum of Care (CoC), provides a one-night snapshot of the number of men, women, and children living in unsheltered situations or on the streets. Those in shelters will also be counted simultaneously to achieve a total point-in-time count.
     
  • Volunteers Needed: Volunteers from local governments, nonprofits, and faith-based communities will participate in the count by fanning out across the Valley in teams. Where possible, they will conduct a brief survey of individuals to identify specific homelessness situations and determine the most needed resources. More information on how to take part is located on the Point-In-Time page on the MAG website.
     
  • Media Availability: Media wishing to gather photos or video of the count are asked to coordinate with MAG as soon as possible and no later than Tuesday, January 21, 2025, to ensure we can match you with a team.
     

Why It Is Important:

“The Point-In-Time count is a big undertaking, but it is only a small snapshot of the homelessness crisis. Gathering data is an important tool in creating regional solutions to the problem,” said Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke, chair of MAG. “Monitoring and assessing trends from year to year helps Valley leaders better understand the issues and create meaningful policies to ease the strain on our communities.” 
 

By The Numbers:

Last year’s homelessness Point-In-Time count tallied 9,435 people experiencing homelessness in the region. Notably, this number reflected a 17 percent decrease in people living unsheltered and a 13 percent increase in the number of people staying in shelter, marking an overall increase in shelter availability and utilization.

“We have worked extremely hard as a city, and as a region, to ensure that there are adequate places for people experiencing homelessness to find shelter as they look for somewhere to live on a permanent basis. We are proud of this progress but recognize that there is still much work to do,” said Vicki Phillips, co-chair of the CoC Board.

Data from the 2025 count is expected to be available in late spring. The results of the count will be used in the MAG consolidated application to the Department of Housing and Urban Development to support homeless assistance programs. Since 1999, the CoC has received over $550 million of funding and now supports more than 32 homeless assistance programs within 11 different agencies. This award has been an important and consistent source of funding for the community.