Each January, Chatham County mobilizes volunteers for a Point‑in‑Time (PIT) count that tallies every person experiencing homelessness. On Jan. 29, 97 volunteers began at 6 a.m., equipped with headlamps and matching shirts, and worked through midnight to interview individuals across the county. The data feed the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s funding formula.

Last year the Chatham‑Savannah Authority for the Homeless recorded 628 people in need, 73 % sheltered and 27 % unsheltered. Among them, 35 veterans, 104 with substance‑use disorders and 109 facing mental‑health challenges were identified. DuLong praised the Tiny House Project, which has moved veteran homelessness close to a functional zero.

Chronic homelessness accounts for roughly 11‑19 % of the counted population, a segment that typically requires long‑term supportive housing. The authority’s permanent‑supportive portfolio operates at 96‑98 % occupancy, offering 140 affordable units across three programs. DuLong warned that capacity constraints leave a gap for chronically homeless individuals, underscoring the need for additional funding.

The 2026 PIT results will be released at a May meeting, feeding HUD’s allocation decisions for federal homelessness grants. Because federal resources hinge on a completed count, local agencies depend on accurate numbers to secure funding. DuLong concluded the current figure is “solvable,” emphasizing that targeted housing and support services can close the remaining gap.