PIT Ethical Research and Planning Doc
Audience
- Primary: Denton County Community Members (Residents, volunteers, civic groups and university students)
- Secondary: Local policymakers, nonprofit partners, sponsors and media outlets
Primary Message
Homelessness is a crisis that affects real people in our community – children, adults, and families. To best help the community, it is critical to gather accurate data to improve services, secure funding, and create long-term solutions in Denton County. Participation in the annual Point-In-Time Count, donations, and advocacy help ensure people facing homelessness are counted and can receive support.
Secondary Message
Homelessness is the result of a systemic issue. Support and compassion are necessary to improve outcomes for the community.
Action Needed
- Volunteer for the 2026 Denton County PIT count on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026
- Attend training before the count
- Donate Supplies or host a drive to fill emergency bags
- Share information with friends, family, neighbors, and local groups to spread awareness and support.
- Consider donating to the Denton County Homeless Coalitions Barriers Fund
Secondary Outreach
- Social Media campaigns (Volunteer opportunities and facts about homelessness to help bridge the gap)
- Physical outreach (Local organizations like UNT, TWU and United Way)
- Press releases for local newspapers (NTDaily and Denton Record Chronical)
Key Facts and Sources
About Homelessness
- Homelessness is linked with a lack of affordable housing, poverty, and a shortage of supportive services.
- Many Americans who experience homelessness are just one major incident from losing stable housing.
- Homelessness includes people sleeping outside, in shelters, transitional houses, or just living in unstable situations where their living space isn’t permeant.
Local Homelessness – Denton County
- The PIT count is a snapshot of homelessness on a single day and is used to help allocate resources locally.
- The annual count relies on community volunteers to conduct surveys across the county.
- Local homelessness services provide collaboration and planning aimed at ending homelessness
- There has been a 33% boost in homelessness
How to get involved with PIT Count
- Volunteer Roles: Surveys of homeless individuals, assistance with emergency supply distribution.
- Training: Required prior to the count; multiple dates in Jan.
- Donations: Essential supplies for incentive bags given during the count
- Meetings: Community members can stay informed through the open Denton County Homeless Coalition monthly meetings and volunteering with United Way of Denton County
Sources for Local Homelessness and PIT count:
- Denton County Point-In-Time count details and volunteer info – United Way Denton County: https://www.unitedwaydenton.org/point-time-count
- Denton County Homeless Coalition Mission and Meetings: https://www.unitedwaydenton.org/denton-county-homeless-coalition
- Volunteer listings for Denton County PIT count and other county volunteer opportunities: https://www.unitedwaydenton.org/volunteer-better-denton-county
- PIT Count volunteer process and supply donation details: https://endhomelessnessdenton.com/pitcount/
- Denton County homelessness recent data and trends: https://www.keranews.org/environment-nature/2025-06-23/homelessness-climbs-33-in-denton-county-since-2024-according-to-local-united-way-data
National Homelessness Research
- State of Homelessness national data and causes: https://endhomelessness.org/state-of-homelessness/
- Homelessness and poverty linkage: https://nationalhomeless.org/homelessness-in-the-us/
- Point-in-time count purpose and information: https://endhomelessness.org/resources/policy-information/what-is-a-point-in-time-count/
- National PIT count methodology and federal connections: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point-In-Time_Count
- Homelessness facts: https://www.councilforthehomeless.org/myths-facts-about-homelessness/
Use of AI Statement
This document was created with the assistance of generative AI (Google AI) to organize information and research effectively. All facts and recommendations have been cross-checked against publicly available sources, and citations are included to ensure transparency and credibility.