2,506

WHERE DO WE STAND?

The January 2020 annual Point-in-Time Count identified 2,506 people who were either staying in an emergency shelter, transitional housing, or who were living on the streets, in cars, or other areas not intended for human habitation. This annual count measures people who are experiencing homelessness on a specific day.  The Ending Community Homelessness Coalition (ECHO) also reports that nearly 8,440 people experienced homelessness and received homeless services at some time in 2018.

The Point-in-Time Count occurs nation-wide, as directed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Hundreds of local volunteers comb the community to identify people who are experiencing homelessness on that particular day.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 PIT Count was not carried out.

A FOCUS ON EQUITY

People who are Black or African American are significantly overrepresented in the local homeless population. Although persons who identify as Black make up only 8% of the total Travis County population, 32% of the homeless population identify as Black.

WHERE UNSHELTERED WERE FOUND

This map, prepared by the Ending Community Homeless Coalition (ECHO), shows the distribution of the unsheltered homeless population by Austin City Council District during the 2020 Point in Time count. Although people experiencing homelessness without shelter are largely concentrated downtown, in 2020 this population was less centrally concentrated than in 2019.

PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESNESS IN A
GIVEN YEAR

Local agencies have identified almost 2,800 people who were known to have experienced homelessness at some point during the year in 2021. This is a 69% decrease over the past five years.

HOMELESSNESS IN TRAVIS COUNTY

This chart reflects data collected through the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS).

HOMELESSNESS AMONG STUDENTS IN AUSTIN

The number of students experiencing homelessness in  Austin ISD has declined over the past few years. During the 2019-2020 school year, 1,383 students within the district were identified as either experiencing homelessness, doubling up with relatives or others, or living in hotels, camp grounds, cars or other non-permanent housing.