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Point-in-Time Homeless Count Begins July 22

July 1, 2026

Staff and volunteers from local homeless shelters and community organizations will be conducting a biannual count of unsheltered individuals in Eau Claire, Buffalo, Trempealeau, and Jackson counties starting on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.

Known nationally as the Point-In-Time Count, the activity is intended to provide a statistically reliable, unduplicated count of people experiencing homelessness during a designated period twice each year. The data collected during the count is included in the Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) that is provided to the U.S. Congress. Homeless information is also reported to the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, and is utilized to develop the Housing Inventory Chart for the Balance of State Continuum of Care.

Representatives from Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council, Hope Gospel Mission, Family Promise of the Chippewa Valley, Catholic Charities, Bolton Refuge House, and the Eau Claire County Department of Human Services will be joined by dozens of community members when they begin canvassing at 11 p.m. on July 22. They will be looking for anyone who is unsheltered during the overnight hours, providing outreach and assistance, and obtaining information necessary for the count.

Additional volunteers are needed in the city of Eau Claire and in rural areas. Prospective volunteers may call Western Dairyland at 715-836-7511 or register online at westerndairyland.org/count.

After the initial overnight count, a post-count survey will continue until July 29th. Official numbers will be verified in late August. Results from the most recent Point-in-Time Counts can be found at westerndairyland.org/count.