Each year, communities across the nation coordinate an annual, snapshot survey of citizens experiencing homelessness on a specific night in January. The Point-In-Time Count, or “PIT” Count provides communities with some information about who is experiencing homelessness, and also a unique challenge in how to go about finding those people.

We are joined by CHIP Program Manager Sara Nowlin, and Horizon House Outreach Manager and PBSPO (Professional Blended Street Outreach) Coordinator, Nikki Wattson. Together, in collaboration with people across the Continuum of Care, they coordinated the 2024 Indianapolis Count. This conversation cuts through the complexities of homelessness, revealing the meticulous orchestration behind this federally mandated count and the collaborative efforts required to make it happen.

Nikki takes us through the winding roads of street outreach. She shares the profound impact of being the first friendly face for those on the fringes, the art of building trust with those in encampments and the critical role of community involvement. Through her insights, we paint a vivid picture of what it means to see the stories and souls behind the statistics.

In a reflection that's both personal and profound, Sara discusses the relationship-building that was central to the organization of the PIT Count, and her own experiences in social services. This episode reiterates the need to center humanity in all aspects of our work and showcases the success of this approach.