Number of Juneau residents experiencing homelessness holds steady

Every year, Juneau conducts a federally-required count of homeless individuals. Results from the 2019 Point in Time count (PIT), which occurred on January 22, show homelessness numbers, overall, are stable and slightly lower than they’ve been since 2016.

“The Point in Time count is one of the data tools we have to monitor our year-to-year progress in addressing homelessness. The count has some recognized shortcomings, including undercounting unsheltered people and homeless youth, so it is important not to consider it an absolute number of people utilizing homelessness services,” City and Borough of Juneau’s Housing and Homelessness Services Coordinator Irene Gallion said.

Emergency sheltering is provided by the Glory Hall, AWARE, and Juneau Youth Services. Transitional housing is provided by Saint Vincent de Paul, AWARE, Gastineau Human Services, and Juneau Youth Services. Transitional housing is intended to provide a more stable environment than emergency shelters while an individual pursues permanent housing. Residents of the Juneau Housing First Forget-Me-Not Manor are considered permanently housed, so are not included in the PIT count. If the Housing First residence did not exist, the PIT count would likely include about 32 more individuals.

The Point in Time Count is required by The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Communities that receive certain HUD funding for homelessness conduct the count in January of each year.

For more information, contact CBJ Housing & Homelessness Coordinator Irene Gallion at 586-0623 or [email protected].