Partnership to End Homelessness presents 2025 point‑in‑time count and monthly homelessness dashboard

The Orange County Partnership to End Homelessness presented its 2025 point‑in‑time (PIT) count and a new monthly homelessness dashboard to the Board of County Commissioners on June 17.

The presenter said the PIT count, taken the week of Jan. 27 and coordinated with Durham to avoid double‑counting, recorded 149 people experiencing homelessness in Orange County in 2025, roughly level with 2024. The count includes those in emergency shelter, transitional housing and unsheltered locations; presenters said only about 6% of counted households included children.

The report highlighted demographic trends: more than half of counted individuals were age 45 or older, and 63% identified as African American. The unsheltered population increased from 33 in 2024 to 48 in 2025, while the sheltered count declined from 115 to 101. The PIT count also recorded an increase in veterans experiencing homelessness and a modest rise in family households.

Presenters noted the PIT count's limitations: it provides a snapshot that can undercount people who are not found on the survey night and relies on self‑reported information collected throughout the week. County staff said the PIT is one of several HUD reporting points and that the Longitudinal Systems Analysis (LSA) later in the year gives a fuller picture for planning and funding decisions.

The Partnership staff also reviewed monthly operational metrics for the housing helpline, coordinated entry and street outreach. Highlights included:

- Housing helpline/coordinated entry: about 3,151 coordinated entry interviews year to date through April, 342 households assisted and more than 4,450 total contacts across channels (phone, in‑person, email). Staff said in‑person access points have expanded, including regular presence at Mayo Street DSS and daily presence at Southern Human Services.

- Street outreach (SORAD): three peer support navigators and one clinical coordinator conducted outreach; 25 people had exited to a positive housing destination (shelter or housing) through this team year to date. Outreach also distributed survival supplies, harm‑reduction materials, provided clinical assessments and coordinated with jail and health providers.

- SOAR (SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access, Recovery): staff reported ongoing efforts to increase successful benefits enrollments; the county recently added a second certified SOAR caseworker and anticipated improvements in outcomes.

- Housing access/landlord engagement: staff reported landlord outreach activities, a landlord survey rollout and incentives/risk‑mitigation payments to support placements into rapid rehousing and permanent housing.

Commissioners asked clarifying questions about data collection, the relationship between sheltered and unsheltered counts, and program eligibility rules (for example, coordinated entry interview timing and eligibility for emergency housing assistance). Presenters said HUD reporting rules and program eligibility constraints drive some timing requirements, and staff offered to provide additional disaggregated data on unsheltered demographics and housing line operations upon request.

Staff said they will continue monthly reporting and plan an annual report that covers fiscal year 2024–25 for the board in the fall. The Partnership also noted funding discussions with the county's three towns about expansion budget support and expected final decisions by the end of the week following the meeting.