On the frigid night of January 22, more than 30 volunteers and staff gathered at The Night Ministry’s headquarters in Bucktown to participate in the City of Chicago’s annual Point‑in‑Time (PIT) Count. Federally mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the PIT Count provides a snapshot of the number of individuals experiencing homelessness (i.e., living outside) on a single night. The PIT Count does not record individuals who are couch-surfing, living in abandoned buildings, or in other unstable situations

The data plays a critical role in shaping federal, state, and local funding decisions for housing and supportive services, making the accuracy of each count essential.

Historically conducted during the coldest week of the year, this year’s count lived up to that tradition. Freezing temperatures underscored the urgency of the work ahead as volunteers prepared to head into neighborhoods across Chicago. The Department of Family and Support Services (DFSS) led an in‑depth training at The Night Ministry’s offices, ensuring that every participant understood how to engage safely, respectfully, and productively with unhoused neighbors.

For many volunteers, the night was both eye‑opening and deeply meaningful. “It’s one thing to read statistics about homelessness,” shared one volunteer, “but being out there, meeting people where they are, reminds you that every number represents a real person with a real story.”

The Night Ministry has supported the PIT Count since its earliest years, reflecting its commitment to illuminating the realities of homelessness in Chicago. As David Wywialowski, Director of Outreach and Health, expressed, “Each person counted is a story that needs to be told. The data guides funding, but the stories guide our mission.”

The last year’s Point-in-Time (PIT) Count in Chicago for 2024 reported 18,836 individuals experiencing homelessness, representing a significant increase from the previous year and highlighting the ongoing homelessness crisis in the city.