Submitted by Thurston County Public Health & Social Services
Every January, partners of the Thurston County Homeless Crisis Response System and community volunteers conduct a count of unsheltered individuals living in county. This annual event is called the Point-in-Time Count and it’s required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The Point-in-Time Count (PIT) takes place over one week starting the last Thursday of January. It’s made up of a series of events where unsheltered community members can complete surveys that specifically ask where they stayed on the third Thursday night of January to count the unsheltered population at that specific point in time. In addition to the survey of unsheltered individuals, people staying in shelters and transitional housing are counted. The events include snacks, information about resources, and items like survival gear and winter clothing while surveys are conducted. This year, the Point-in-Time Count is from January 30 – February 6, 2025.
How to Help
Donate to the winter clothing drive
Drop off donations on Fridays through January 24, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Old Olympia Fire Hall, 108 State Ave NW, Olympia. Use the side door at the side door in the parking lot between the old fire hall and Olympia Senior Center. The donations will be distributed directly to community members experiencing homelessness at the 2025 PIT events.
Donate new or gently used:
- Warm clothing including winter coats, gloves, hats, and scarves
- All sizes for adults and kids are welcome
- Adult sizes Med-XXL needed most
Volunteer for the 2025 Point-in-Time Count
The Point-in-Time Count depends on community volunteers. Sign up to volunteer online.
Volunteer opportunities include:
- Sorting donations (Fridays in January)
- Hygiene kit assembly (January 23)
- Survey assistance (January 30 – February 6)
- PIT event support (January 30)
The data from the annual Point-in-Time Count is published and submitted to HUD to be included in national data. The 2024 Point-in-Time Count Report was published in December and reports from previous years are available on Thurston County Office of Housing & Homeless Prevention’s Data and Reports webpage.
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