Each year, communities around our nation complete a Point in Time Count to determine the number of individuals experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. The Point In Time Count, or PIT Count, is required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development and is ultimately used by policymakers and members of Congress to develop and fund programs addressing specific needs.

This year, the City of Indianapolis chose January 22 as our night, and over the course of a few days, our community worked together to canvass our city to determine how many of our neighbors were unsheltered and experiencing homelessness.

HVAF outreach

For the last several years, I have volunteered to be part of this effort.

For some context, I googled the weather in Indianapolis on January 22, 2025. I hate winter, so I’ve already blocked it out.  According to Google, Indianapolis experienced freezing temperatures and wind chills below zero around January 22, 2025. An arctic air mass had moved into the central Indiana area, causing scattered extreme cold conditions from January 20-22, 2025. Temperatures during this period were mainly between -10 and 15 degrees Fahrenheit, accompanied by wind gusts up to 20-30 mph, resulting in wind chill values dropping as low as -10 to -25 degrees Fahrenheit each day. Not ideal weather to be sleeping outside.

Every year that I volunteer, I have an experience that reminds me why our work is so important. Last year, I surveyed guests at the Garfield Park Public Library. I chose this location because it’s close to my house, and I was surprised by how many people in the area were experiencing homelessness. Even though the number was staggering, I was most touched by the number of young people I met who were struggling with substance use. A library patron pointed out to me a young man who was sleeping in Garfield Park. He had a college degree. His friend said, “He’s only here because he’s an addict.”

This year, I volunteered at the Central Library, which happens to be just a few blocks away from HVAF. Walking through the Library, connecting with visitors allowed me to see the face of homelessness in our city. 

And this year, just like last year, was heartbreaking. I encountered a young woman who agreed to participate in my survey, and she reported sleeping outside, near downtown on the night of January 22. She was very young and shared that she was homeless because she was fleeing domestic violence. My heart broke for her. She is one of 1,815 Marion County residents who were experiencing homelessness that night.

I share those stories as a reminder that every one of the 1,815 people experiencing homelessness are people. People with stories to tell, with smiles wiped from their faces by the cruelty of life, are all worthy of our assistance.

A few weeks after the PIT Count, I saw the young woman again. This time, she had a job for a cell phone company and was working a shift at HVAF, offering phone services to veterans visiting our pantry. I’m not sure if she remembered me, but I won’t soon forget her.

This year, homelessness in Indianapolis increased by 7%, with 1,815 people experiencing homelessness.

The PIT count survey asks if the person served in the military and we use the results to. We are pleased to report that, thanks to your support, there was a 26% reduction in the number of veterans experiencing homelessness this year compared to last year.

Thank you for being part of our team, ensuring that no hero is homeless on our streets.

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