Chicagoans struggling with homelessness face a daunting task on Thursday night as volunteers and city staff embarked on the annual "point-in-time" count to tally up those experiencing homelessness in the city.
Under a dim moon, teams of five volunteers braved biting winds that had already dipped below minus one by the time they began their search. They combed through desolate parks on Chicago's North Side and trawled through alleyways, hoping to find anyone they could locate - a task that proved more challenging than initially thought.
While some volunteers struggled to find anyone amidst the frigid cold, the end of the night saw thousands of people counted and surveyed as part of this annual exercise. The count is crucial in determining how federal funds are distributed and can significantly impact local policy.
However, critics argue that the count isn't always accurate, particularly when it comes to those living in abandoned buildings or cars, known as "doubled up." These individuals often go unnoticed during the evening count, leaving advocates calling for a shift towards a multi-day approach to capture more accurate numbers - especially given the impact on funding.
A recent report from the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness revealed that over 58,000 people experienced homelessness in the city last year. In contrast, the city's point-in-time count for that same period was significantly lower at 19,000. This disparity has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the count and its reliance on federal funding.
As the city battles with rising homelessness rates - a staggering increase of over 18% nationwide in 2024 - officials are now grappling with how to accurately assess the scope of this challenge. The annual count is essential but must be refined to capture more comprehensive data, which will have far-reaching implications for local policy and funding.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson emphasized that each number tells a story of an individual who deserves dignity, safety, and a place to call their own. However, the point-in-time count's limitations underscore the need for ongoing efforts to address this complex issue, particularly in light of recent federal funding cuts affecting services such as housing assistance and street outreach programs.
For Mitchell, a 36-year-old former Uptown resident who lost his housing four months ago, clarity on available resources is crucial. He expressed frustration with the waitlist for affordable housing and shelter placements, citing long periods of stagnation during this process.
Under a dim moon, teams of five volunteers braved biting winds that had already dipped below minus one by the time they began their search. They combed through desolate parks on Chicago's North Side and trawled through alleyways, hoping to find anyone they could locate - a task that proved more challenging than initially thought.
While some volunteers struggled to find anyone amidst the frigid cold, the end of the night saw thousands of people counted and surveyed as part of this annual exercise. The count is crucial in determining how federal funds are distributed and can significantly impact local policy.
However, critics argue that the count isn't always accurate, particularly when it comes to those living in abandoned buildings or cars, known as "doubled up." These individuals often go unnoticed during the evening count, leaving advocates calling for a shift towards a multi-day approach to capture more accurate numbers - especially given the impact on funding.
A recent report from the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness revealed that over 58,000 people experienced homelessness in the city last year. In contrast, the city's point-in-time count for that same period was significantly lower at 19,000. This disparity has raised concerns about the effectiveness of the count and its reliance on federal funding.
As the city battles with rising homelessness rates - a staggering increase of over 18% nationwide in 2024 - officials are now grappling with how to accurately assess the scope of this challenge. The annual count is essential but must be refined to capture more comprehensive data, which will have far-reaching implications for local policy and funding.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson emphasized that each number tells a story of an individual who deserves dignity, safety, and a place to call their own. However, the point-in-time count's limitations underscore the need for ongoing efforts to address this complex issue, particularly in light of recent federal funding cuts affecting services such as housing assistance and street outreach programs.
For Mitchell, a 36-year-old former Uptown resident who lost his housing four months ago, clarity on available resources is crucial. He expressed frustration with the waitlist for affordable housing and shelter placements, citing long periods of stagnation during this process.
. 58k people in Chicago alone? It's heartbreaking to think that our city is dealing with such a massive homelessness crisis 
. I'm all for the volunteers trying their best to count everyone down on the streets, but can't we do better than just one night a year? It's like, we know the stats are way off when they only get people who are out in the open, what about the "doubled up" guys who get lost in the cracks? 
We need to step up our game and make this count more meaningful. And honestly, it feels like all these efforts are just a drop in the bucket when you consider how much funding's being cut back 
. It's time for some real solutions, not just Band-Aid fixes 
.
. I mean, 58,000 is a staggering number, but the actual count only got as high as 19,000? That's still gotta be a lot of folks slipping through the cracks 
. It's all about refining the count to make sure we're getting an accurate picture of homelessness, 'cause at the end of the day, every person deserves a roof over their head and some dignity 
.
. 58k+ homeless in Chicago? That's insane! 
The point-in-time count is a good start, but it's clear we need to do better. What's the point of having thousands counted if they're still invisible after the night is over? 
And don't even get me started on those "doubled up" folks who are literally living in cars or abandoned buildings... how do you even miss that? 
It's like we're not even trying to get a real number here. We need more than just annual counts and funding to make a dent in this problem. Let's focus on providing actual support, not just stats 
the problem is that a lot of these people get lost in the count, especially those staying in abandoned buildings or cars... I mean, who can even begin to comprehend the struggles of someone trying to find resources during this process? 
it's like, we know we need to do better but how do we make it more accurate and comprehensive? 
the city's gotta keep pushing for solutions, especially with funding cuts coming in... 
. I mean, think about it, you've got thousands of people out there, but only 19,000 are counted, and that's already on the low side considering the actual numbers from the Chicago Coalition to End Homelessness report 
. We need a more comprehensive approach, like a multi-day count, or maybe even a year-round effort to track homelessness 
.
And 58k people actually homeless in Chicago is crazy... I mean, I know it's a big city and all but still 
. What's going on with the funding cuts though? It's like, we're trying to count people who don't even have homes and you cut off their resources 
The point-in-time count is like tryin to put a puzzle together with missing pieces... we need to make sure all the data's there before makin some big decisions