Justine Nicholson, a volunteer with Utah’s Point-in-Time Count and a University of Utah student, records details about a person experiencing homelessness in Salt Lake City on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. (Photo by Aline Walker for Utah News Dispatch)
For three days, volunteers across the state got up before the sun to count Utahns experiencing both sheltered and unsheltered homelessness in their communities, finishing their work before most people even knew they were there.
The Point-in-Time Count is a nationwide event that seeks to provide a snapshot of how many people are experiencing some form of homelessness in any given area. Volunteers in Utah conducted the state’s count early Thursday, Friday and Saturday, collecting data that is used to inform government leaders about the state of homelessness, and can play a role in policymaking and resource allocation…