The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires that Continuums of Care (CoCs) receiving HUD funding must conduct a count of homeless persons within their geographic area at least once every two years. Erie County’s CoC conducts this count every year during the last week of January. The count focuses on two groups:
- Unsheltered Homeless Persons – Those living in a place not designed or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for humans. This number is obtained by volunteers canvassing Erie County.
- Sheltered Homeless Persons – Those living in emergency shelters and transitional housing projects. This number is obtained by Erie County Department of Human Services staff using the Homeless Management Information System and working with local provider agencies.
To read Point in Time reports, visit the Home Team website.