updated August 5, 2025
On July 23, ADVOCAP participated in the annual Summer Point in Time (PIT) Count, a nationwide effort coordinated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to collect data on homelessness across the United States. Locally, ADVOCAP helps lead the count for the Winnebagoland region, which includes Fond du Lac, Green Lake, and southern Winnebago Counties.
“The PIT Count helps us understand the scope of homelessness right here in our communities,” said Becky Heldt, ADVOCAP’s Homeless Prevention Director. “This data allows us to advocate for the support and resources our neighbors truly need.”
Data collected during the PIT Count is submitted to HUD and included in the Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress. It also informs updates to the Housing Inventory Chart for the Wisconsin Balance of State Continuum of Care. This information is essential for securing federal and state funding for housing and homelessness prevention programs, including rental assistance, emergency shelter, and permanent housing solutions.
“The more accurate our count, the more funding and support we can bring back to our local communities,” Heldt added.
The PIT Count is conducted every July, with some communities, including the Winnebagoland region, also conducting a winter count in January to provide a more complete picture of housing instability throughout the year.
The count began at 10:30 PM and continued until approximately 2:00 AM on July 24. Trained volunteer teams canvassed the region, visiting known locations and engaging with individuals experiencing homelessness. The goal was to collect data on people staying in places not meant for human habitation, including vehicles and outdoor encampments.
During the count, outreach teams connected with 35 individuals experiencing homelessness. These numbers are just a small part of the larger picture. As of July 7, 2025, there are 722 households listed on the Winnebagoland homeless list:
- 172 are considered at risk of homelessness, staying in self-paid motels, temporarily with others, or facing imminent loss of housing (within 14 days).
- 550 households meet the federal definitions for Category 1 (literally homeless) or Category 4 (fleeing domestic violence). Of these 550 households, 181 have children.
For more information about ADVOCAP’s homelessness assistance programs visit our website here.
