Winter Point in Time Provides Insight on Homelessness

Richmond, VA – March 8, 2023 – Homeward today released initial findings from the Winter 2023 Point in Time (PIT) count that occurred in January 2023. Data show that a significant number of individuals and families continue to experience homelessness in the Richmond region. The January 2023 PIT count recorded 690 people experiencing homelessness, which is one percent lower than the PIT count in January 2022.

Although the total number of people experiencing homelessness in our region remained essentially flat compared to January 2022, the Winter 2023 PIT count did record a significant increase in the number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. The number of people who were staying in unsheltered conditions increased by 121 percent from 85 people in January 2022 to 188 people in January 2023. This is the largest number of people staying outdoors, in cars, and other places not meant for habitation that were counted as part of a Winter PIT count in at least the past 15 years.

“While the total number of individuals experiencing homelessness in January 2023 is similar to 2022, with pandemic resources fully exhausted by last year, the number of people who were staying in unsheltered conditions more than doubled,” said Kelly King Horne, Executive Director with Homeward, which manages PIT counts as the planning agency for the Greater Richmond Continuum of Care (GRCoC). “This challenge will require additional resources to support our region’s coordinated and compassionate system of homeless service providers. Our region also must prioritize building more housing to ensure that everyone can afford a place to call home.”

What is the PIT Count?

Conducted by Homeward, the federally-mandated PIT count took place on the night of January 25, 2023, and the morning of January 26, 2023, and included individuals and families staying in shelters and living outside or in other places not meant for habitation. This single day count provides a snapshot of changes and trends over time. PIT data are based on the actual numbers of people counted by experienced and trained volunteers. In addition to the count, a sample of individuals were surveyed about their experiences, which provides further insight directly from people with current lived experience of homelessness.

“Individuals counted during the PIT count are our neighbors,” noted Horne. “They are people in our community who we collectively engage every day of the year, not just at this one time.”

Solutions for Homelessness

Recent progress in addressing homelessness in 2021 and 2022 can be attributed to increased funding for GRCoC partner agencies and expanded capacity. These added resources enabled agencies to provide more services and access to more stable housing options.

As predicted, the scheduled closure of emergency shelters established during the pandemic likely contributed to higher rates of unsheltered homelessness among our region’s most vulnerable neighbors.

Although greater funding for homeless services is important, low rental vacancy rates and the lack of deeply affordable housing remain critical challenges in our region.

“There is a direct correlation between additional resources and expanded housing options with lower rates of homelessness,” added Horne. “Our region has a number of local programs with proven records of success helping individuals and families get on the path to safe and stable housing. We need to prioritize these solutions as well as create more permanent supportive and deeply affordable housing.”

Where Can I Get More Information?

Additional information about the January 2023 PIT count, including multiple charts and other data visualization, is available on Homeward’s PIT webpage. This page is updated with the latest data from the count.

You also can read blog posts about previous PIT counts, including the Summer 2022 PIT Count and Winter 2022 PIT Count.