Wayne County point-in-time count finds two people experiencing homelessness; volunteers canvassed all municipalities

Human Services Deputy Administrator Pam Wilson told the Wayne County Commissioners on Feb. 5 that volunteers conducting the 2026 Point In Time count located two people experiencing homelessness on Jan. 22.

"On January 22, 2026, 23 volunteers visited all 28 municipalities in the County to see if they could locate homeless individuals," Wilson said. She reported that volunteers located two individuals — one living in a vehicle and one living behind a business — and that volunteers "offered assistance of food, gloves, sleeping bags and other items and assistance to see if they needed anything to get them out of the cold, but the individuals declined any assistance." By comparison, Wilson said last year’s count located 14 individuals.

The report to the board was procedural: Wilson described the canvass scope (23 volunteers, 28 municipalities) and the immediate outcome (two people identified, both declining assistance). The minutes do not record follow-up actions, shelter referrals accepted, or whether the county will modify outreach strategies based on this year’s smaller count.

Deputy Administrator Wilson’s figures are the only homelessness data in the minutes; the board did not debate or direct staff to take additional steps during the meeting. The Point In Time count is typically a single-night, volunteer-driven snapshot used for planning and grant purposes; the minutes did not specify any planned next steps or whether the county will share the results with regional providers.