Homeward Announces 2023 Winter Point-in-Time Count

January 25, 2023

Collecting reliable and consistent regional data about individuals and families experiencing homelessness is crucial in building an effective community-wide response.

That’s why the Point in Time (PIT) counts that take place in January and July each year are so important. Homeward has just announced that it will organize and conduct the Winter 2023 PIT count in the Greater Richmond region on the night of January 25, 2023 and the morning of January 26, 2023.


Findings from the PIT count help our region’s coordinated network of homeless services learn about needs in the community from those individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness.


By talking directly to people experiencing homelessness in our region, homeless services providers can lead more effective and impactful community change. Our region’s PIT count this month is part of a statewide effort to conduct counts simultaneously around Virginia.


PIT counts are a requirement from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that communities conduct periodic counts of people experiencing homelessness. This data is compiled both locally and nationally to inform programs, planning, and funding. Homeward has coordinated Greater Richmond's PIT counts since 1999. Homeward has used a standard methodology since 2007, which includes publishing PIT count data and trends over time on our website.

Keep an eye on our blog for data from the Winter 2023 PIT count. Initial findings are expected in late February. Learn more about previous PIT counts and review data that’s been collected on our website.


By Elizabeth Handwerk April 7, 2026
"Homeward is there to bring all the different pieces of homeless services together. "
March 19, 2026
Data from the January 2026 Point in Time (PIT) count show that homelessness in the Richmond region remained relatively steady. The January 2026 PIT count recorded 618 people experiencing homelessness, which is slightly lower than the January 2025 count that recorded 660 people experiencing homelessness.
By Elizabeth Handwerk March 17, 2026
“It is rewarding and meaningful to know that accurate data directly impacts planning and service delivery for people experiencing homelessness.”
February 27, 2026
As the planning and coordinating agency of the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC), Homeward staff members work closely with local leaders and community members in participating jurisdictions across our region. Greater Richmond is a diverse area and our localities range from urban to suburban to rural. The needs of those communities differ as well.
February 18, 2026
As housing instability and the cost of living continue to rise nationally, and especially in the Richmond region, we’ve seen increased pressure on homeless services. These larger economic forces push more people to the brink of homelessness and add further strain to our current support network for individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
February 11, 2026
We often get questions about how people can help support the work of Homeward and homeless service providers in the Richmond region. One way we to help is talking to your elected representatives about the important work taking place and the need to fund proven, successful programs.
By Elizabeth Handwerk January 30, 2026
After nearly two decades of dedicated service and impact on efforts to solve homelessness in the Richmond region, Margot Ackermann, Ph.D. is retiring from her role as Director of Research and Evaluation at Homeward . While we will deeply miss her leadership, compassion, and institutional knowledge, we also celebrate the legacy she leaves behind: one that has strengthened our community, shaped data-driven practice, and inspired countless colleagues and partners.
January 28, 2026
There is incredible compassionate collaboration that happens with trained street outreach professionals and Homeward - the dedicated planning agency for the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC) – each and every day, but especially on days with extreme weather.
January 21, 2026
Most of us have seen the weather reports for this weekend’s winter storm. Any accumulation, let alone what’s forecasted, is disruptive for everyone, especially our neighbors facing homelessness.
January 14, 2026
Later this month, Homeward will organize the Winter 2026 Point in Time (PIT) count for our region. The PIT count takes place annually and has been managed by Homeward since 1999.