Recent official data confirm rising homelessness in Prescott and Sedona and spark important questions about local strategies, the effectiveness of data collection, and the systemic contributing factors.
The national Point In Time (PIT) Count reveals significant trends highlighting both challenges and successes in addressing this difficult problem. Conducted annually during the last week of January, the count provides a comprehensive snapshot of individuals and families experiencing homelessness.
Overseen by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), this federally mandated effort has two main components: the unsheltered count, which focuses on individuals living in places not meant for human habitation, such as streets, parks and vehicles; and the sheltered count, recording those staying in emergency shelters, transitional housing, or safe havens on a designated night. This dual approach provides a comprehensive view and accounts for both visible and less visible populations.
Justin Price, outreach coordinator for US Vets in Yavapai County, underscores the importance of this standardized process. “The PIT Count ensures that we’re capturing data in a uniform way every year. This allows us to track trends over time and understand the evolving dynamics of homelessness in different communities.” This consistency is essential to identifying long-term patterns and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions, as well as ensuring that funding and resources go where they are most needed.
The count’s methodology involves extensive preparation and collaboration among community organizations, volunteers and local government agencies. County organizations including US Vets, Catholic Charities, Northland Cares and the Verde Valley Homeless Coalition play pivotal roles in organizing and conducting the survey. A crucial element is the Collective Impact Partnership (CIP), which brings together a collaborative network of nonprofits, service providers and community leaders.
The CIP is the central organizing body, ensuring that participating organizations work together effectively toward shared goals, streamlining efforts from volunteer recruitment to data collection and resource distribution. Price cites CIP involvement as instrumental in coordinating the many moving parts of the count. “The CIP helps unify our approach,” he says. “It ensures that we’re not duplicating effort and that we’re maximizing the impact of every resource we have.”
The Prescott Public Library, food banks, local shelters and other community partners play vital roles, providing vital services to individuals and acting as key touchpoints for outreach during the count. Libraries are often gathering places for unsheltered individuals and have become integral to identifying and engaging this population.
Preparation for the PIT Count is thorough and involves detailed training of volunteers, who learn how to conduct surveys and engage respectfully with unhoused individuals, and receive briefings on local priorities and challenges specific to their assigned areas. Price emphasizes pairing new volunteers with experienced participants to ensure a smooth process: “We want every volunteer to feel confident and supported.”
First and foremost, the data gathered through the PIT Count inform how HUD allocates federal funding among communities, ensuring that those with the greatest need receive adequate support. Local governments and nonprofits also rely on the data in designing policies and programs to address the root causes of homelessness. The count provides benchmarks for progress over time, helping communities evaluate the effectiveness of their interventions and identify areas for improvement.
The 2024 count confirmed several important trends in our county. Homelessness has risen markedly in Prescott and Sedona, reflecting broad challenges related to housing affordability, economic instability and access to services.
A concerning trend confirmed with the last count is rising chronic homelessness, with 42% of individuals experiencing long-term housing insecurity. This group often faces systemic barriers, including unaffordable rents, limited access to healthcare and inadequate social support systems, that make it harder to regain stability. Also notable is the increasing prevalence of car-camping. While street homelessness has declined somewhat, more individuals are now living in vehicles, a shift that may be influenced by municipal policies restricting visible street presence.
The aging of the homeless population is another significant trend. In our county the proportion of individuals aged 35 and older experiencing homelessness has grown, with some now in their 70s and older. For many seniors, fixed incomes do not keep pace with living costs, leaving them particularly vulnerable to housing insecurity. Price highlights this trend as a call to action for expanding affordable housing options and healthcare access.
Among these these challenges are points of progress. Homelessness among veterans has been declining in both in the county and nationally, and they now make up just 13% of the homeless population. This success is largely attributed to targeted programs including VA HUD-VASH vouchers, transitional housing initiatives and better support services for veterans and their families. “Intentional policies and consistent federal funding have made a real difference,” Price says. “These programs are helping veterans remain housed and rebuild their lives.”
Projections of county homelessness suggest steady levels for the short term, but there is optimism for meaningful change. Addressing systemic issues like affordable housing, public transportation and healthcare access will be key to sustainable solutions. Collaboration among nonprofits, local governments and community members will be essential to further progress.
More than a data-collection exercise, the count is a vital tool for understanding the complexities of homelessness, allocating resources and driving systemic change. As Price puts it, “The PIT Count reminds us that behind every statistic is a person with a story. It’s our responsibility to listen, learn, and act to make a difference.”
Community involvement remains a cornerstone of success. Volunteer needs for the 2025 count have been met, but donations of essential items like cold-weather gear, gas cards and food cards are still needed. These items not only provide immediate relief but also help outreach teams build trust with individuals experiencing homelessness. If you’d like to contribute, contact Justin Price at jprice@usfs.org or 928-379-1763.
