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Local News

Newscast: PIT Count scheduled for Wednesday morning

A tent in the forest on a bluff by the ocean surrounded by trees and vegetation typical of Northern California
Elise Cox
/
Midjourney
The annual Point-in-Time count seeks information on how many people are homeless in Mendocino County

Volunteers are preparing for Mendocino County’s annual point-in-time (PIT) count of the homeless population, set to take place early Wednesday morning. This survey, mandated nationwide, provides critical data for securing funding and shaping services for people experiencing homelessness.

Senior Program Manager Megan Van Sant explained that this year’s count will involve 80 volunteers, slightly fewer than the 90 who participated last year. However, Van Sant emphasized that additional help is welcome, and volunteers can sign up through the Mendocino County Continuum of Care website until Tuesday evening.

The count, which starts around 6 a.m., involves volunteers using an app capable of geolocating data and identifying duplicate entries to ensure more accurate reporting. “For example, if a car is believed to be inhabited, volunteers can log the vehicle’s last four license plate digits to avoid duplicate counts,” said Van Sant.

This year marks the second time Mendocino County has partnered with a professional consultant, ASR, to enhance the count’s accuracy and efficiency. ASR’s expertise has streamlined the process, making it more organized and yielding deeper insights into homelessness in the region.

Van Sant highlighted the unique challenges of conducting the count, such as early morning logistics, recruiting and retaining volunteers, and covering remote rural areas. “Each year, we work to improve the process," she said. This year, the organizations will gather volunteers the evening before to streamline the deployment on the morning of the count.

Another notable improvement is the inclusion of local guides—individuals with lived experience of homelessness—who assist in identifying locations where unsheltered individuals are likely to stay. Guides are compensated for their contributions, adding both motivation and valuable insights to the effort.

Last year, for the first time, tribal communities participated in the count, allowing for data collection on tribal lands. This partnership continues in 2025, reflecting the county’s efforts to make the count as comprehensive as possible.

Despite advancements, Van Sant acknowledged the inherent imperfections in the PIT count. There’s always a risk of undercounting or double counting, but with professional support and continuous improvements, there's an opportunity accuracy to increase year over year.

For those interested in participating, volunteer registration and training details are available at the Mendocino Continuum of Care website.

Local News
Elise Cox worked as an editor and reporter for the San Jose Mercury News, Knight Ridder, U.S. News & World Report and other publications prior to moving to the Mendocino coast in 2022. She began reporting stories for KZYX in August 2024 and became news director in December 2024.