Fulton County delays annual unhoused resident count after freezing weather

Caption

Volunteers for the Fulton County Point in Time Count of all unhoused residents in the county prepare to canvass in January 2024. In 2025, the county rescheduled the count due to frigid weather.

Credit: Fulton Government TV

After several days of severe cold weather, Fulton has rescheduled its annual Point In Time Count (PITC) of all unhoused residents in the county.

The count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development every odd year during the last 10 days of January. Once the data is collected, HUD determines how much federal funding each area needs for housing programs.

The Fulton County Continuum of Care was originally scheduled to begin canvassing Wednesday, but due to this week's icy conditions, it will instead begin Jan. 28 in North Fulton and Jan. 29 in South Fulton.

During the count, teams of around 40 volunteers canvass the area, talking to people, gathering information, handing out hygiene kits, and offering access to shelters.

Dawn Butler is the division manager for Fulton County Homeless Services. She said the agency works with partner organizations to offer more resources.

“We'll take them to that shelter and the Salvation Army will provide services,” Butler said. “We also partner with the Gateway Center for Shelter and also for Christian City for Youth Shelter during the Point In Time Count.”

The Fulton County Continuum of Care works to provide specialized follow-up through outreach and partnership with organizations such as the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs.

Butler said there are many factors that contribute to homelessness that may be out of someone’s control.

“It could be mental health challenges, and it could be, you know, people who are aging out of foster care,” she said. “It could just be as simple as not having a community.

Data from the count will also be used to determine focus areas to better address chronic homelessness in the county.