Point-in-Time Count
Overview: The Point in Time Count is an annual effort to estimate the number of people experiencing homelessness across Knoxville-Knox County. This information is critical to understanding the experience of all neighbors across the community. We have adapted the PIT count survey to help fill in key gaps, so that community partners from across the region can better understand the local landscape of unsheltered homelessness.
See the reports from 2024, 2025, and 2026 (coming soon).
Each year a successful count requires extensive partner, volunteer, and community engagement. We had over 50 volunteers help support the 2026 Point in Time Count, with over 15 partner organizations represented. The local planning process is spearheaded by a Steering Committee with administrative and logistics support from the Office of Housing Stability.
2027 PIT Count
Planning has started for the 2027 Point in Time Count. Reach out to join the steering committee, Arielle.benson@knoxtnhousing.org, or to be a part of the CoC- PIT planning group ongoing.
Winter Survival Kit Drive
November 1st - December 19th
Winter Survival Kits will be distributed alongside the annual Point in Time Count during the end of January 2027.
We have 3 Drop-Off locations, available at various days and times.
- Tuesdays 1-4pm: Knoxville-Knox County Office of Housing Stability at 405 Dante Road, Knoxville (Map)
- Thursdays 11-2pm: Cokesbury Church, at Fig Tree 9919 Kingston Pike, Knoxville (Map)
- Fridays 12-3pm: Volunteer Ministry Center (VMC) Family Refuge, 511 North Broadway, Knoxville (Map)
- Saturdays 9-11am: Cokesbury Church, at Fig Tree 9919 Kingston Pike, Knoxville (Map)
We are not accepting any clothing, blankets, sleeping bags, or anything used at this time. Please consider donating directly to one of our drive partners, or to Knoxville Area Rescue Ministries for any items you would like to donate that are not included on the list.
Consider donating needed items in bulk, or you can donate individually completed bags. The included supplies should fit neatly in a 1-gallon Ziploc bag.
List of Accepted Items: Unused and/or unopened.
- Survival Blankets
- Hand warmers
- Feet warmers
- Body warmers
- Body/Cleansing wipes
- Protein Bars and other High-Density, shelf-stable snacks (softer is better)
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Deodorant
- Bar Soap (no liquid soap or body wash)
- Hand Sanitizer
- Sports Drinks and Bottled Water, OR, refillable water bottles
- Candy Bars and soft candy
- Rechargeable flashlights
- Handwritten notes
*Each kit is distributed during the PIT count with a resource card including winter sheltering options.
Knoxville-Knox County Office of Housing Stability
405 Dante Road, Knoxville (Map)
Specific dates:
- Tuesday November 3rd: 1-4pm
- Tuesday November 10th: 1-4pm
- Tuesday November 17th: 1-4pm
- Tuesday November 24th: 1-4pm
- Tuesday December 1st: 1-4pm
- Tuesday December 8th: 1-4pm
- Tuesday December 15th: 1-4pm
Cokesbury Church, at Fig Tree
9919 Kingston Pike, Knoxville (Map)
- Thursday November 5th: 11-2pm
- Saturday November 7th: 9-11am
- Thursday November 12th: 11-2pm
- Saturday November 14th: 9-11am
- Thursday November 19th: 11-2pm
- Saturday November 21st: 9-11am
- Thursday November 26th: Thanksgiving, No Drive today
- Saturday November 28th: Holiday weekend, No Drive today
- Thursday December 3rd: 11-2pm
- Saturday December 5th: 9-11am
- Thursday December 10th: 11-2pm
- Saturday December 12th: 9-11am
- Thursday December 17th: 11-2pm
- Saturday December 19th: 9-11am
Volunteer Ministry Center (VMC) Family Refuge
511 North Broadway, Knoxville (Map)
- Friday November 6th: 12-3pm
- Friday November 13th: 12-3pm
- Friday November 20th: 12-3pm
- Friday November 27th: Good Friday, No Drive Today
- Friday December 4th: 12-3pm
- Friday December 11th: 12-3pm
- Friday December 18th: 12-3pm
Email or call for a special delivery time or pick-up: Arielle.benson@knoxtnhousing.org. Note Drop-Off will not be available Thanksgiving (11/26), Good Friday (11/27), or Saturday 11/28.
Volunteer this January!
Consider being a part of conducting the survey this January. Register early on our Volunteer East TN website. There are multiple shift options available, and there will be more opportunities posted throughout PIT week, January 21st – 27th, 2027.
2026 Count
After the count was concluded this January, we conducted a survey with volunteers. We wanted to know how to make the count more engaging and effective for them, and for participants.
We gained valuable insights that we will be bringing forth into the planning process for 2027, including:
- Volunteers felt the communication and team management went smoothly, with some thoughts on strengthening team transportation coordination, reimbursement for parking for volunteers, and team leadership.
- Focused training on initial direct engagement and explanation of the survey in simple terms.
- Providing backpacks or rolling carts to help facilitate distribution of the good neighbor bags.
- Clearer expectations and directives around how to approach the geographic area provided to ensure the best utilization of time.
- Bigger breakfast and more coffee for volunteers.
Other Links
HUD Annual Homelessness Assessment Reports (accumulative national Point in Time Count and Housing Inventory Count data)
Point in Time Count methodology guide (HUD’s guide on how to conduct a successful count)