Between January 25 and January 29, communities across Massachusetts took part in the federally mandated Point-in-Time Count, an annual effort to measure homelessness and housing capacity on a single winter night. Cities and towns coordinate their local counts, contributing critical data that shapes funding, policy, and services statewide and at a national level. 

At United Way of Massachusetts Bay, the count underscores the importance of addressing homelessness as a regional challenge. Through its Safe & Stable Housing impact work, United Way mobilizes resources to invest in partners creating affordable housing and the supports families need to remain stably housed, and advocates for innovative ways to scale supportive and affordable housing across the state. 

“Homelessness affects families and individuals in every part of our region,” said Marty Martinez, CEO of United Way of Massachusetts Bay. “The Point-in-Time Count gives us critical insight into where the needs are greatest so we can advocate for smarter policy, stronger partnerships, and investments that help people achieve housing stability and long-term economic mobility.” 

The Point-in-Time Count, required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, captures the number of people experiencing homelessness in shelters, transitional housing, and unsheltered settings such as streets, vehicles, and encampments. Conducted alongside the Housing Inventory Count, which records the number of available shelter and housing beds, the effort provides a snapshot of both the scale of homelessness and the capacity of local systems to respond.  

Last year,  Boston and Lowell achieved declines of roughly 4% and 10% through aggressive rehousing, while regional hubs like Worcester and Quincy continued to face record-breaking surges, with Worcester County reporting a 20% year-over-year increase. In UWMB focus communities like Lynn and Lawrence, the crisis is increasingly driven by high eviction rates and a 93% spike in family displacement over the last two years, leaving families unhoused for an average of 213 days. This trend highlights that homelessness in the Commonwealth has shifted from an unsheltered "street" crisis to a deep-seated housing instability crisis, disproportionately impacting families and seniors who are being priced out of their communities. 

Accurate data is the foundation of effective homelessness response in guidance to communities conducting the count. The Point-in-Time Count allows communities to understand the scope of homelessness in their region and ensures federal resources are targeted where they are needed most. 

In Boston, Mayor Michelle Wu joined volunteers and outreach workers last week as teams canvassed neighborhoods and shelters across the city. Hundreds of volunteers, outreach workers, and service providers were deployed across neighborhoods to conduct surveys and outreach in one of the state’s largest coordinated counts. In Cambridge, municipal staff partnered with emergency services and nonprofit providers to survey sheltered and unsheltered residents.  

“(The count) is an important part of our work to better understand the needs of unsheltered Bostonians and to connect individuals to services,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “At a time when housing costs continue to skyrocket, the data collected through our annual census is critical as we urgently work to create more housing and support our residents.” 

In Chelsea, Revere, and Quincy, coastal and gateway communities are working through regional Continuums of Care to document the experiences of families and individuals facing housing instability.  

Northern Massachusetts communities including Lawrence, Lowell, Haverhill, and Lynn are coordinating with shelters, housing authorities, and outreach teams to ensure residents are counted accurately. In Lawrence and Lowell, outreach teams coordinated through their regional Continuums of Care focused on family shelters and unsheltered residents. The data is critical to municipal housing programs.  

“The Point-in-Time (PIT) Count is a critical tool for understanding the scope and severity of the unhoused crisis,” said Mayor Jared Nicholson of Lynn. “Conducted during one of the coldest periods of the year it helps identify those who lack even a place to stay for a single night. By meeting people where they are, we can better understand their circumstances and connect them with the resources and solutions needed to support their path toward stable housing.” 

In Malden, Salem, and Taunton, local governments and nonprofit partners are conducting surveys and field outreach as part of regional data collection efforts that feed into statewide and national reporting.  

The data collected during the count is submitted through HUD’s Homelessness Data Exchange and becomes part of the Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress. The results influence federal Continuum of Care funding, Emergency Solutions Grants, and other housing and homelessness resources distributed to states and municipalities. 

1. Accurate Data Drives Funding 

HUD requires PIT and HIC data to allocate Continuum of Care funding, Emergency Solutions Grants, and other federal resources. Missing or undercounting people in smaller communities can mean fewer resources where they’re needed. 

2. It Highlights Local Trends 

While statewide data gives a big picture, local counts help communities understand unique patterns — such as increases in family homelessness, youth homelessness, or unsheltered individuals, which can differ from one town to the next. 

3. It Strengthens Local Planning 

Count data informs municipal and regional plans for: 

Housing advocates note that homelessness outside major cities is often less visible but still a significant challenge we need to address. Moreover, major federal policy shifts and recent changes to HUD’s Continuum of Care funding will have significant implications for thousands of people currently living in permanent supportive housing.  Massachusetts currently receives $136 million from HUD through the CoC funding; based on federal changes, it is estimated that $91 million – or 3,800 supportive housing units are at risk. 

The annual count is only a one-night snapshot, but officials say it remains one of the most comprehensive measures of homelessness available. Local results are expected to be released in the coming months, followed by statewide and national reports later in the year.  

The Massachusetts Supportive Housing Pipeline Coalition  led by United Way of Massachusetts Bay, believes everyone deserves a safe, affordable home in the community of their choice. That is especially true for our neighbors experiencing homelessness, who have the most to gain from stable, long-term housing. 

As communities across Massachusetts complete this year’s count, the data gathered will shape how the Commonwealth plans, funds, and responds to housing needs in the year ahead.