Loudoun County is among the jurisdictions in the National Capital Region that will conduct the annual Point-in-Time Count of people in the community who are experiencing a housing crisis or homelessness. The count is scheduled to be conducted the night of Wednesday, January 24, 2024.
The Point-in-Time Count, which is conducted locally and nationally, has been facilitated by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) since 2001. The data from the one-day snapshot of individuals and families experiencing homelessness is compiled into an annual report produced by COG.
Members of the local Continuum of Care (CoC) will canvass the county to assist anyone who is unsheltered by providing resources and information on programs and services. The Continuum of Care is comprised of organizations that service unsheltered, unstably housed and homeless residents, such as hospitals, mental health providers, advocacy groups, public housing authorities, developers, public schools, law enforcement, judicial entities, faith-based organizations and Loudoun County Government.
Key benefits of the Point-in-Time Count include:
- Communitywide Assessment: The Point-in-Time Count includes outreach to a wide range of people, including young adults ages 18-24, veterans, people over 60, families and others.
- Increased Awareness: The count encompasses all areas of Loudoun County with targeted outreach to rural areas to ensure a connection for needed community resources.
- Program Development: Results from the Point-in-Time Count contribute to data-driven decision-making for specific types of housing needs and areas of program development.
- Racial Equity Analysis: The Continuum of Care in Loudoun County is participating in a regional project with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and other Continuums of Care across the region to analyze and address racial equity in homeless services.
For More Information
- The federal Continuum of Care Program is a component of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) designed to promote a communitywide commitment to the goal of ending homelessness; to provide funding for efforts by nonprofit providers, states, and local governments to quickly rehouse homeless individuals and families while minimizing the trauma and dislocation caused by homelessness; to promote access to and effective utilization of mainstream programs by homeless individuals and families; and to optimize self-sufficiency among those experiencing homelessness. The Loudoun Continuum of Care (PDF) is the local coalition of this program.
- HUD requires that CoCs conduct an annual count of people experiencing homelessness. CoCs also must conduct a count of unsheltered people experiencing homelessness every other year (in odd-numbered years). Each count is planned, coordinated and carried out locally.
- To get connected to health and human services information and resources in Loudoun County, including coordinated entry for housing and homeless assistance, contact the Loudoun County Information and Referral program at 703-777-0420 or visit loudoun.gov/informationandreferral.
- More information about the Point-in-Time Count is online at loudoun.gov/pointintime.
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