At any given time, there are people who experience homelessness in Oklahoma City. In 2022, the Point in Time count conducted on March 3 found a total of 1,339 people experiencing homelessness in the city. This number is down from the 1,573 counted in 2020, but it is important to note that a single night count is just one way to measure homelessness, and it is not an exclusive measuring tool. There are many factors that influence the count, such as weather and benefits issuance, that can impact the results.

However, the Point in Time count is a valuable tool that provides good data to track trends over long periods of time. In addition to the count, there is a tool that tracks service use and numbers on a daily basis. Throughout the year of 2022, 12,340 people were served by programs that record data in the Homeless Management Information System. This comprehensive system enables service providers to plan and allocate resources more effectively to serve the population.

Understanding the Point in Time Count

The Point in Time count is conducted annually on a single day to count and survey people who are experiencing homelessness. The goal is to provide a snapshot of homelessness in Oklahoma City, including the number of people and their characteristics. A large team of community volunteers from more than 25 organizations survey people in emergency homeless shelters, transitional housing facilities, hot meal sites, crisis facilities, encampments, and various street locations.

The Point in Time count groups people into several categories, including the number of people staying in overnight shelters, transitional housing, and people who are unsheltered. In Oklahoma City in 2022, the unsheltered population remained high at 35%. The count also found that 10% of the population are veterans, 16% are members of families with children, and 20% are youth aged 24 or younger.

Understanding the Characteristics of Homelessness in Oklahoma City

Homelessness in Oklahoma City is not limited to people living on the streets. The Point in Time count does not attempt to count people who are staying in hotels, treatment facilities, emergency rooms, jails, or people who are considered “couch homeless,” people who are homeless but temporarily staying with a friend, relative, or acquaintance. The number of couch homeless is uncertain, but the Oklahoma City Public School District had 1,952 children experiencing homelessness enrolled at the end of the 2021-2022 academic year, the majority of whom were couch homeless.

The count also found that 51% of people experiencing homelessness in Oklahoma City are white, 27% are black, and 10% are Native American. Additionally, 28% of the population reports mental illness, and 35% are considered “chronically” homeless. This means they have experienced homelessness for a year or more or have experienced at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years.

Understanding the Importance of Data

The Point in Time count yields valuable trend data to help service providers understand how many local people are homeless and what kinds of needs they have. This information aids in planning Oklahoma City’s services and programs to feed and shelter the population as well as to help them find affordable housing, access services, and ultimately end their homelessness.

While the numbers may fluctuate from year to year, the underlying issue of homelessness in Oklahoma City remains a significant challenge. It is critical to continue to gather and analyze data to develop effective strategies to address the issue.

Conclusion

Homelessness is a complex issue, and understanding the numbers and trends is a critical first step in addressing the issue. The Point in Time count is an important tool that provides a snapshot of homelessness in Oklahoma City, including the number of people and their characteristics. While the count is just one