Tracking Homelessness

The Department of Housing and Community Development gathers data from various sources to estimate the extent of homelessness in the County. The Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) is a Congressional mandate for all jurisdictions that receive federal funding for homeless and homeless prevention services. The Baltimore County HMIS is a cooperative, community case management tool that allows governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations to better serve their homeless clientele.

Federal, state and local government, as well as nongovernment grantors, use HMIS data to analyze program performance, which will then help determine funding opportunities. More than 30 Baltimore County nonprofit organizations and more than 80 Baltimore County homeless or homeless prevention programs utilize HMIS. 

ANNUAL POINT-IN-TIME COUNT

The Point-in-Time (PIT) Count is a count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. HUD requires that CoCs conduct an annual count of people experiencing homelessness who are sheltered in emergency shelter, transitional housing and Safe Havens on a single night. CoCs also must conduct a count of unsheltered people experiencing homelessness every other year (odd-numbered years). Each count is planned, coordinated and carried out locally.  Survey tools for PIT Count participants are available online. Previous PIT Counts from 2007 to 2023 can be viewed at HUD.gov.