Over 24 hours, on January 24th, MACV participated in the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) count. This event gives us a snapshot of Veteran homelessness in our community and country. This nationwide effort is coordinated by various organizations, including the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, and our ten Continuums of Care in Minnesota.

The data we collect is more than numbers – we tailor housing solutions to fit every unique journey. We gather statistics on unsheltered individuals residing in emergency shelters, transitional housing, or safe havens: an essential step towards ensuring every Veteran has access to stable housing options.

“The PIT count serves as a night where organizations work together to ensure some of our hardest to reach Veterans are supported. Additionally, we have the opportunity to introduce MACV to outreach workers from other agencies for future service connections for Veterans.” -MACV Outreach Program Manager Christine Bridgeman

Overnight on the 24th, Kurt Johnson, Metro Regional Director, and three MACV Outreach team spent the evening at the Phalen Activity Center Warming Center in St. Paul, identifying Veterans and transporting them to the VA Community Resource & Referral Center (CRRC). The CRRC served as the command center for the evening, and several MACV staff were stationed there. Click here to watch the WCCO interview about the impact of the PIT count on Veteran homelessness in Minnesota.

The PIT count is an essential step in helping to end Veteran homelessness, but it is not the only way we track Veterans experiencing homelessness in Minnesota. On a day-to-day basis, we use the Homeless Veteran Registry to help programs and partners coordinate efforts. MACV and the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs are always committed to working together to ensure all Veterans can access stable housing options.