Birmingham VA Supports 2026 Point-in-Time Count to Address Homelessness in Birmingham
On January 28, 2026, the Birmingham VA Health Care System joined One Roof and other local organizations to help with the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. This nationwide event aims to find and count people experiencing homelessness across the country.
Authorized by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and conducted locally by Continuums of Care (CoC) such as One Roof, the PIT Count provides a critical snapshot of homelessness on a single night each year. The data collected helps guide policy decisions, informs funding allocations, and supports the development of services aimed at preventing and ending homelessness.
Working Together as a Community
The 2026 PIT Count gathered staff from the Birmingham VA’s Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) Program, at least 30 outreach teams, and approximately 140 community volunteers. Groups like Pathways, Food for Our Journey, Care for Our Journey, Firehouse Ministries, Baptist Church of the Covenant, AIDS Alabama, Workshops Empowerment, Church of the Reconciler, Priority Veteran (United Way of Central Alabama), Volunteers of America, Recovery Resource Center, Urban Alchemy Birmingham, and others also joined in to help people in Birmingham who need it most.
Other communities across Alabama took part in the count too, helping build a better picture of homelessness in the state and across the country.
The Birmingham PIT Count took place over one day with several shifts. The Birmingham VAHCS volunteer teams participated during the 11 a.m.-3 p.m. shift.
Birmingham VA in the Community
Birmingham VA employees worked with outreach teams in different parts of the city to conduct surveys and talk with people. Volunteers handed out hygiene kits from One Roof and collected important details, such as where people slept the night before, how long they had been homeless, and whether they were Veterans.
In 2026, about 30 Birmingham VA employees took part in the PIT Count and met with around 58 people, including two Veterans. The final numbers are still being reviewed and will be shared once confirmed.
Although this year’s main goal was to collect data, volunteers did more than just surveys. They took time to listen, connect, and treat everyone with dignity and respect. This reminded everyone that homelessness is about real people, not just numbers.
The PIT Count is a vital tool for understanding the scope and nature of homelessness. HUD uses the data to evaluate the effectiveness of existing programs and determine future funding levels, while local agencies rely on the information to tailor services and identify gaps in care.
For the Birmingham VA, finding Veterans who are experiencing homelessness is very important. Each Veteran identified is a chance to connect them with VA health care, housing help, and other support to move into stable housing and improve their lives.
Ongoing Commitment
The PIT Count only happens once a year, but the work to end homelessness goes on all year. The Birmingham VA keeps working with community partners to make sure Veterans who are homeless are found, supported, and given the help they deserve.
When the 2026 PIT Count ended, volunteers gained more than just survey results. They left with a stronger sense of purpose and a better understanding of the challenges faced by people without homes. This shows that the PIT Count is about caring for people, not just counting them.