The Berks Coalition to End Homelessness (BCEH) has released its 2025 Point-in-Time (PIT) counts, revealing the current state of homelessness in Berks County, Pennsylvania. The annual count, mandated by the federal government, took place in late January and recorded 682 people experiencing homelessness. A subsequent non-mandatory count in June identified 677 individuals.
According to the BCEH, about 16 percent of those counted were under the age of 18. The PIT count is a crucial tool used to assess the number of sheltered and unsheltered homeless individuals on a single night. It helps communities understand the scope of homelessness and aids in planning and resource allocation.
The Housing Inventory Count (HIC) complements the PIT count by providing an inventory of programs offering beds and units for the homeless. This data is essential for tracking the availability and use of resources dedicated to addressing homelessness.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires Continuums of Care to conduct these counts to ensure a coordinated response to homelessness. The data collected is submitted to HUD via the Homelessness Data Exchange (HDX), as outlined by the HUD Exchange.
The PIT count data will be used to inform local planning and policy decisions, helping to improve services for those experiencing homelessness in Berks County.