Every January, from sunrise to day two, volunteers fan out across Chatham County and count every homeless person they find. This year’s results have not yet been officially released, but local officials said the data may indicate local progress in reducing homelessness.
“This would be great news,” said Jennifer DuLong, executive director of the Chatham-Savannah Authority for the Homeless (CSAH).
Once collected, annual point-in-time (PIT) data is sent to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for use in determining how to allocate funds among organizations. If local, state and federal organizations don’t keep the count, federal resources are unavailable.
A homeless man rests on a bench in Reynolds Square on Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025.
On Jan. 29, 97 volunteers began collecting data at 6 a.m. Wearing headlamps, matching shirts and fully charged phones, they talked to homeless people across the county until around midnight. The interviewer looks the participant in the eye, asks for permission, and asks a series of unidentifiable questions, each focused on eliciting more in-depth information, such as “Are you a veteran?” or “Do you have a substance abuse disorder?”
The CDC says homelessness is generally defined as people living in shelters, living in transitional housing, or sleeping in places unfit for human habitation, such as outdoors. Homelessness can be divided into four categories: true homelessness, imminent homelessness, other federally mandated homelessness, and fleeing/attempting to flee domestic violence, according to HUD Exchange.
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Last year, CSAH counted 628 homeless people, 73% of whom were in local shelters and 27% who had no shelter. Approximately 35 participants reported being veterans, 104 participants reported having a substance abuse disorder, and 109 participants reported having a mental health disorder.
“Point-in-time counts contribute to the narrative that communities assume about homelessness. This is where we teach communities how to talk about homelessness,” Dulong said.
Chatham-Savannah Homeless Authority Executive Director Jennifer DuLong speaks at the Dundee Cabin ribbon cutting on October 16, 2025.
Dulong said that after this year’s count, veteran homelessness is “very close to functional zero” — a benchmark that means communities are effectively ending homelessness in the population by ensuring cases are rare and resolved quickly.
Veterans are at greater risk of homelessness than other adults, according to a study published by the National Library of Medicine. Dulong noted that this shift was brought about in part by CSAH’s tiny house project, which houses dozens of U.S. veterans.
While tiny homes are one way to help some of Chatham County’s homeless population, the national affordable housing crisis persists locally and funding has failed to keep up with the challenge.
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Duron said 11-19% of Chatham County’s homeless population said they were chronically homeless, meaning they had been homeless for at least 12 months or on at least four separate occasions in the past three years.
The permanent supportive housing portfolio in CSAH’s homeless response system remains at 96-98% capacity.
Through its three housing schemes, CSAH provides 140 affordable homes and maintains a capacity of 96-98%.
“So if you look at the portfolio, there’s not enough housing to meet the number of people who are chronically homeless,” Dulong said. “People need housing and support.”
The City of Savannah and the Chatham-Savannah Homeless Authority cut the ribbon on 39 cabins for those exiting homelessness on October 16, 2025
Support services can be reliable child care, mental health center services, and legal aid.
The PIT count gives homeless people a chance to talk about their needs and gives CSAH a better idea of how to allocate funds.
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The 2026 PIT data will be released at the May meeting.
Dulong said that while more work needs to be done to get to zero functionality, “(the number of homeless people in the Savannah area) is a number that can be addressed.”
Ansley Franco is a reporter for the Savannah Morning News, covering public safety and general affairs. You can contact her at AFranco@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared in the Savannah Morning News: Point-in-time count could mark shift for homelessness in Chatham County
