What Is the Point-in-Time Count and Why Does It Matter?
The Point-in-Time (PIT) Count is a critical tool used to measure homelessness in Arizona, providing an annual snapshot of the number of people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. Coordinated by the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), the PIT Count includes both sheltered and unsheltered individuals. This helps inform regional funding and support strategies. It is vital to address trends in Maricopa County homelessness in 2025.
Maricopa County Homelessness 2025: Alarming Trends
The 2025 Point-in-Time Count showed 9,435 individuals experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County, with over 4,800 people unsheltered—a staggering 51% of the total count. These numbers reflect a troubling trend: homelessness continues to rise as rent prices soar and affordable housing remains scarce.
Communities across Phoenix, Tempe, Mesa, and beyond are facing increasing pressure, and the human cost is felt most deeply by those living without shelter, safety, or access to the basic tools for recovery.
Why Identification Is Vital to Ending Homelessness
For the thousands counted in this year’s PIT report, the path off the street often begins with one essential item: a government-issued ID. At Homeless ID Project, we know from experience that identification is the foundation to stability. No ID means no job, no housing application, no access to healthcare—and no opportunity to rebuild.
In 2024, Homeless ID Project provided over 12,000 documents, including 8,758 state IDs and 4,669 birth certificates. These are the documents that open doors. As one client told us:
“I had a job waiting, but no ID to prove who I was. Getting help from Homeless ID Project changed everything.”
Supporting Arizona Homeless Services Starts with You
As homelessness in Maricopa County continues to grow, so does the urgency of our mission. We work daily in our Phoenix and Tucson offices and through outreach efforts to meet the increasing need. But we can’t do it alone.
That’s why your support is crucial. Providing one document might not seem like much—but for our clients, it’s the beginning of a whole new life.
Donate Today: $40 = One Document = One Chance at a New Life
Just $40 provides a birth certificate or state ID for someone ready to take the first step toward employment, housing, or healthcare—all vital to ending their homelessness.
Click here to donate and make an immediate, local impact on the Maricopa County homelessness crisis in 2025.
Read More Here
- Maricopa County Homelessness 2025: What the Latest Numbers Tell Us
- How Domestic Violence Leads To Women on the Streets
- Living with Uncertainty – Community Support is More Important Than Ever
- The Importance of Having Two Forms of ID in Arizona: A Key to Employment and Housing Opportunities
- A Grateful Thank You to the Sundt Foundation