Homeless count nearly unchanged in Maricopa County

By Zev Black
Mail

The Maricopa County Association of Governments released the results of the 2026 Point-in-Time Homelessness Count May 18, which were nearly unchanged year-over-year.

The PIT is an annual street and shelter count conducted Jan. 26 that determines the number of people experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County at a given point in time. The count is part of a national effort to identify the extent of homelessness throughout the country.

The count is reported to congress as part of the annual Homelessness Assessment Report. It helps local communities stay informed while giving government data they use to create legislation to help homeless individuals.

There are pitfalls, however. Because the count is taken on one night, it may not represent the entire homeless population. Maricopa County official acknowledge that in its report.

“The PIT Count is a one-night snapshot of homelessness that is limited by weather conditions, number and training of volunteers, self-reported survey responses, and other factors,” the report states. “There are more people who experience homelessness over the course of the year than on any given single night.”

According to the report, there were four unsheltered homeless individuals in Sun City on the night of the count. This is up from zero in 2025.

The total number of homeless individuals in Maricopa County, according to the report, dropped slightly from 9,734 in 2025 to 9,726 in 2026.

“Flat numbers in a growing region are themselves a meaningful sign,” a MAG release stated. “As the Maricopa region’s population continues to climb, holding the overall count steady and reducing the unsheltered population demonstrates important progress.”

The changes from 2025 to 2026 showed the total PIT count was down less than one percent, the unsheltered count dipped 12 percent, and the sheltered count rose 14 percent.

“The most encouraging part of this year’s count is that more people are sheltered,” said Tim Burch, co-chair of the Maricopa Regional Continuum of Care and Tempe’s director of community health and human services. “When someone is in shelter, they’re connected to services and case management, and that’s how people move out of homelessness. That’s the direction we want to keep moving.”

The count also notes other data points like age, sex and ethnicity.

Adults ages 35–44 made up the largest age group, with 2,162 individuals counted. The report also counted 1,322 individuals aged 17 or younger, many of whom were part of the 611 families identified in the count.

Additionally, the report includes a voluntary survey. Among those who participated, 429 individuals identified as homeless veterans. The survey also found that 1,273 individuals were living with mental illness, while 1,324 reported struggling with substance abuse.

To view the full report, go to tinyurl.com/3sxry737.

Reporter Zev Black can be reached at zblack@iniusa.org. Please submit comments at yourvalley.net/letters or email them to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.

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