Maricopa County prepares for January 27, 2026 homelessness count as 2025 unsheltered totals rose sharply

An annual census used for funding and planning

Communities across Maricopa County are preparing for the 2026 Point-in-Time (PIT) Homelessness Count, a one-day street and shelter census conducted each January to estimate how many people are experiencing homelessness at a specific moment. The count is part of a nationwide effort carried out in late January in metropolitan areas, and it is used to help shape local homelessness responses and support applications for federal homelessness assistance funding.

The 2026 PIT count is scheduled for Tuesday, January 27, 2026, with volunteer shifts in the early morning hours. Local jurisdictions coordinate volunteer deployment in designated areas, including within city boundaries such as Mesa, where volunteers are expected to work across the city during the event window.

What the latest completed count found

The most recently published countywide PIT results cover the count conducted on January 28, 2025. That morning, 9,734 people were identified as experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County. The overall total was 3% higher than the prior year’s count.

The 2025 data showed a pronounced shift toward unsheltered homelessness. The unsheltered count increased by 28% from 2024 to 2025, while the sheltered count declined by 16% over the same period. Adults age 25 and older represented 81% of people included in the 2025 count.

Key factors cited in the regional picture

Regional homelessness leaders linked the 2025 increase in unsheltered homelessness to multiple pressures. Among them was the expiration of federal funding tied to more than 1,000 shelter beds across the region between 2024 and 2025, reducing indoor capacity that had helped keep unsheltered numbers lower in previous years.

Other conditions identified as ongoing contributors included high rental costs and limited access to supportive services, including mental health services and long-term care supports for older adults. Regional planners have also pointed to uncertainty in the funding environment, including the potential for reductions in federal rental assistance and social service programs.

How the PIT count is conducted

The PIT count relies on coordinated teams that include trained volunteers and outreach workers. Counting is conducted both in shelters and in locations not meant for human habitation, paired with brief survey questions intended to better understand needs and circumstances. The data is used alongside other ongoing sources, including information collected through the local Homeless Management Information System, which tracks interactions with the homelessness services system throughout the year.

• 2026 count date: Tuesday, January 27, 2026 (early morning volunteer window)

• Most recent published countywide results: January 28, 2025

• 2025 total identified: 9,734 people experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County

The PIT count provides a time-specific snapshot used to assess needs, measure progress, and inform resource allocation across the county.