The Point in Time Count (PIT Count) is the annual census count of street and sheltered people experiencing homelessness. The PIT Count is sponsored by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and is reported to Congress. The Point in Time Count for Oʻahu (Honolulu county) is conducted and reported by Partners in Care – Oʻahu Continuum of Care and the Homeless Point in Time Count for Hawai‘i, Kaua’i, and Maui counties are conducted by Bridging The Gap Continuum of Care (BTG) and reported by Ka Mana O Na Helu. The two reports are important resources that help establish federal funding to the local community. This year’s PIT Count is particularly important as the 2021 Count was canceled due to COVID-19.
Here are some facts from the 2022 PIT Count:
- A total of 5,973 people experienced homelessness in the state of Hawai‘i. The majority (3,951) of the people were on O’ahu, followed by Hawai‘i (837), Maui (741), and Kaua’i county (444).
- There was an 11% decrease in the total number of people who experienced homelessness on O’ahu between 2020 and 2022 (0.4% increase in unsheltered count and 24% decrease in sheltered count).
- Between 2020 and 2022, Kaua’i and Hawai‘i counties experienced a 5% increase in homelessness while Maui county experienced a 6% decrease.
- Chronic homelessness increased by 18% compared to 2022, raising the number of homeless individuals demonstrating chronicity to 745. By comparison, the average increase in chronic homelessness is 9%.
