Each year the Suncoast Partnership to End Homelessness, Inc. (Suncoast Partnership) on behalf of the
Sarasota/Manatee Continuum of Care compiles the Annual Point-in-Time (PIT) count. This survey
provides a snapshot of homelessness in Sarasota and Manatee County on a single night, January 27 to
January 28 of 2020. While it is not possible to count every homeless person, the methodology used in
our communities includes gathering information from those who are in emergency shelters and
transitional housing, engaging in outreach efforts in known areas where unsheltered homeless persons
may be gathered and a general canvassing in our communities to capture the best picture possible. The
count allows us to look at trends over the years by using consistent methodology.
The overall number of homeless persons surveyed in Sarasota and Manatee Counties is 1,044, a
decrease of 8% from 2019. The count for Sarasota County decreased by 4.1% while the Manatee County
count decreased by 12.4%.
Chris Johnson, CEO of the Suncoast Partnership talked about the results of the count.
“Our area continues to be one in which affordable and attainable housing are hard to come by.
The lack of attainable housing continues to be a driving factor of homelessness as well as the
prevalence of families who are one paycheck away from homelessness as identified by the United
Way ALICE Report. One very promising data point coming out of the Point in Time this year is the
23.6% decrease in chronically homeless individuals in our community. This is a testament to the
efficacy of our Coordinated Entry System and the commitment of our community to serving those
of highest vulnerability. This focus coupled with Housing First best practices, the Permanent
Supportive Housing and Rapid Rehousing interventions championed by our local Service
Providers, and the commitment from the counties, cities, and our philanthropic partners has
made this possible. The 9% drop in unsheltered homeless individuals and families is also to be
commended as this shows the outcome of outreach efforts and connection with those
unsheltered individuals by moving them through community’s Homeless Crisis Response System
towards housing.”
During 2019, the Oneby1 Coordinated Entry System, in partnership with and through the commitment
of the Continuum of Care partners, assisted 208 long term and high need homeless persons find
permanent housing.
The PIT count is conducted by community volunteers using a survey tool which provides a means for
gathering information directly from individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The PIT results,
along with other data and information, help inform the Sarasota and Manatee County Continuum of
Care (CoC) as they plan to address the needs of those who are homeless and those at imminent risk of
homelessness.
The Federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (as amended) authorizes the U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to require the PIT count in all Continuums of Care.

June 24th, 2020