By Zach Ciavolella

The city’s Office of Homeless Services (OHS) has announced that the 2026 Point-In-Time Count (PIT Count), which was originally planned for today, Wednesday, Jan 28, has been postponed and rescheduled for next month, set to take place on Wednesday, Feb. 25.

The Point-in-Time (PIT) Count is conducted by the Continuum of Care (CoC) and counts sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January, and every other year (odd-numbered years).

According to the OHS, the decision comes after efforts to handle the recent citywide Snow Emergency and Enhanced Code Blue—the latter of which remains in effect. Many city staff members who help oversee the PIT Count spent the past several days working as part of an “all-hands-on-deck response” amid brutal weather conditions.

Though the PIT Count is mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the postponement reflects ongoing weather-related concerns. Philadelphia is no longer under a Snow Emergency but remains under an Enhanced Code Blue until further notice.

Continued bitterly cold temperatures are expected across the city, with wind chills dipping below zero. As a result, the city will continue operating warming centers and provide enhanced street outreach and staffing at each warming center, in addition to managing existing shelters that serve individuals experiencing homelessness.

“Our priority during this record-breaking cold is to save lives,” said Cheryl Hill, Executive Director, Office of Homeless Services. “The City operates warming centers in partnership with the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management, Parks and Recreation and the Free Library of Philadelphia. Many of the workers who are staffing the warming centers and outreach teams also conduct the PIT Count and manage more than 200 volunteers who have signed up to help count and survey people living on Philadelphia streets.”

Throughout the extended ECB, teams from the Philadelphia OHS, the Department of Behavioral Health and disAbility Services, the Department of Public Health, Office of Public Safety, Police and Fire departments will continue to work across the city to find people who are still sleeping outside and offer transportation to a warming center where they can stay or request shelter bed placement.

For the latest winter weather outlook, impacts, and city preparedness efforts, visit OEM’s blog.