The annual count of those experiencing homelessness in Minnesota will take place Wednesday, Jan. 24, across the state.
Called the Point in Time or the PIT Count, the event occurs across the United States during the last 10 days of January. The timing of the count is intended to capture a more precise picture of those unable to access emergency shelter in winter months.
The numbers help with future planning to address homelessness and examine trends over several years.
Last year, nearly 8,400 people in Minnesota were experiencing homelessness at the time of the count. Nearly half of those counted were families with children, and more than 330 were veterans. The numbers include those living in emergency shelters, transitional housing or Safe Haven programs, and also those staying with friends or family but without the security of a lease.
The information is collected through face-to-face interviews on an online form or through a paper survey and takes about 15 minutes.
If you or someone you know is experiencing homelessness, contact your local county social services offices for more information on how to participate.
-
Contributed/North Central Small Business Development CenterThe Brainerd-based center offers consulting and workshops for those who want to start or enhance a small business, including Madeline Johnson, who opened Little Threads in 2025. -
Larissa Donovan/KAXEAs the district looks to trim $3 million from its budget this spring, community members, teachers and parents rallied against the shuttering of J.W. Smith Elementary. -
Contributed/Arrowhead TransitAll of the public transportation services in Northern Minnesota will be available on MnDOT's trip planning app and website by this summer. -
Contributed/Picasa 2.7 via FlickrThe Public Utilities Commission declined the request from environmental group CURE and said further discussion and regulation of data centers could take place in separate cases. -
Plus: The U.S. Senate is expected to soon vote on whether to allow copper-nickel mining near the Boundary Waters; and the latest in winter high school sports. -
Contributed/Sora Shimazaki via PexelsCyndy Martin's defense indicated they are still seeking a plea agreement, but Judge Heidi Chandler set a trial date of Aug. 31, 2026, for the alleged 2024 hit-and-run. -
Andrew Dziengel/KAXELead for Inclusion in Bemidji will host a book club event for "When Stars Are Scattered" at 4:30 p.m. March 4, 2026, at the Northwest Minnesota Foundation. -
Contributed/Detroit Lakes Public SchoolsDetroit Lakes senior Maggie Schander was also the vault, bars and beam champion and the runner-up in the floor exercise. -
Contributed/MSHSLWarroad, Proctor-Hermantown and Bemidji represented the rural Northland in the girls hockey state tourney. Bemidji was the consolation runners-up. -
Tim O'Malley said in a Feb. 23, 2026, news conference that lawmakers and administrations were made aware of vulnerabilities in the state's social safety net since the 1970s.
