What is PIT?

The Point-in-Time (PIT) count is a count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. HUD requires that Continuums of Care conduct an annual count of people experiencing homelessness who are sheltered in emergency shelter, transitional housing, and Safe Havens on a single night.

What is HIC?

The Housing Inventory Count (HIC) is a point-in-time inventory of provider programs within a Continuum of Care that provide beds and units dedicated to serve people experiencing homelessness (and, for permanent housing projects, where homeless at entry, per the HUD homeless definition), categorized by five Program Types: Emergency Shelter; Transitional Housing; Rapid Re-housing; Safe Haven; and Permanent Supportive Housing.

General PIT & HIC Resources

PIT & HIC Glossary of Terms

PIT & HIC Guidance and Tools

Video Trainings & Visual Guides for shelter and housing providers

ALL SHELTER/HOUSING PROVIDERS - WATCH THIS OVERVIEW VIDEO:

Sheltered HIC Portal Training Video

• Sheltered HIC Survey Portal - Anchorage

• Sheltered HIC Survey Portal - Balance of State

• PDF Visual Guide BusinessObjects - Sheltered - Unsheltered PIT 2026 (0630) (Emergency Shelters & Transitional Housing projects)

• PDF Visual Guide BusinessObjects - PIT-HIC Persons Served Report: RRH-PSH-OPH (Rapid Rehousing, Permanent Supportive Housing & Other Permanent Housing projects)

• 2026 Point in Time (PIT) & Housing Inventory Chart (HIC): AKHMIS Participating Provider

• 2026 Point in Time (PIT) & Housing Inventory Count (HIC): Alaska DV/AKHMIS Non-Participating Provider

• HIC Count 101 - Bed Inventory Guide

What is Unsheltered PIT?

HUD requires Continuums of Care (CoCs) to conduct Point-in-Time (PIT) counts of people in unsheltered locations at least every other year. Many CoCs conduct their counts by sampling parts of their jurisdiction and by using those samples to derive a full estimate of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness. As part of their sampling approach, many CoCs must also extrapolate demographic data.

Unsheltered PIT Resources

Anchorage

• Unsheltered PIT & PHC Survey Form: Anchorage

• Unsheltered PIT Survey Portal - Anchorage

Alaska Balance of State

• Unsheltered PIT & PHC Survey Form: Balance of State (any community other than Anchorage)

• Unsheltered PIT Survey Portal - AK BoS

PIT Glossary

Video Training

2025 Unsheltered PIT Training Video Passcode: d%U$6z*A