Each year, the release of Maricopa Association of Government’s (MAG) Point-in-Time (PIT) Count draws attention to one of the most pressing issues facing the community: homelessness. The overall count remained nearly flat from last year, while the unsheltered count decreased by 12% and the sheltered count increased by 14%.
That is important progress, and it suggests more people were connected to shelter. But it does not mean the homelessness crisis has been solved, nor does it mean the PIT Count captures everyone experiencing homelessness over the course of a year. This year’s count, which identified people experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County on the night of Jan. 26, 2026, found 9,726 individuals experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County. The PIT count captures only those who are experiencing homelessness during one specific night.
Research has shown that the number of people who experience homelessness over the course of a year can be 2.5 to 10 times higher than what is captured on a single night through the PIT count.
Tanner Swanson, Marketing Director of the non-profit “A New Leaf”, joined “Arizona Horizon” to discuss the true progess that has been made.
