In January, Anchor House and our community partners that are fighting to end homelessness in Mercer County came together to participate in the annual Point-In-Time (PIT) Count.
The PIT Count provides a snapshot of the population experiencing homelessness in communities throughout the US like Mercer County during a single day. The findings from the PIT Count help government entities, including Congress, to identify where to allocate housing resources and services to prevent and end homelessness.
With the threat of federal funding cuts looming, the data collected through the PIT Count is more critical than ever to demonstrate the need in our community for Anchor House’s and our partners’ services. Since 2022, New Jersey has seen a 44% increase in homelessness through the Annual PIT Count. The 2024 report shows a 31% increase in homelessness in Mercer County between 2023 and 2024, higher than the statewide average increase (24%) and over 28% of those that were homeless in 2024 were children under 18. The numbers will soar if programs designed to prevent and end homelessness receive federal funding cuts.
The PIT Count provides an opportunity for participating agencies to provide those they meet on the street with access to essential supplies. During the PIT, Anchor House staff distributed backpacks to those they met on the streets filled with warm clothing, hygiene kits, food, and a resource manual.
The PIT also helps agencies like Anchor House and our other partners identify where the greatest needs in our community are. Based on the 2024 PIT numbers, the biggest need for Anchor House’s services continues to be Trenton as 73.3% of those that were homeless in Mercer County were from Trenton.
Read the full 2024 Mercer County Point-In-Time Count, as published by Monarch Housing.
