ADVOCAP will again join communities across the country in conducting the Summer 2026 Point in Time (PIT) Count on the night of Wednesday, July 22. Following the PIT Count, ADVOCAP will host a free Community Resource Fair on Thursday, July 23 for Fond du Lac County residents experiencing homelessness or financial hardship.
Held twice each year in January and July, the Point in Time Count is a nationwide effort coordinated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and local Continuums of Care (CoC) to better understand homelessness in communities across the country. ADVOCAP coordinates the count throughout the Winnebagoland region, which includes Fond du Lac, Green Lake, and southern Winnebago counties.
Beginning at 11:00 PM on July 22, volunteer teams will travel pre-assigned routes throughout the region to identify individuals staying in places not meant for human habitation, such as vehicles, tents, or other outdoor locations. The information collected provides a snapshot of homelessness on a single night and is reported through the Wisconsin Balance of State CoC to HUD.
“The PIT Count is an important opportunity to better understand homelessness in our communities,” says Becky Heldt, Homeless Prevention Director at ADVOCAP. “The information collected helps ensure local needs are reflected in planning and funding decisions while helping us strengthen available supports for neighbors experiencing homelessness.”
Although the Point in Time Count captures only one night, the data is used to identify trends, guide housing and supportive services, and determine federal funding for homelessness assistance programs. An accurate count helps ensure communities receive resources that reflect the local needs.
The count also serves as a reminder that homelessness exists in communities of every size, including throughout the Winnebagoland region. People experiencing homelessness may be living in vehicles, tents, or other locations, often due to circumstances such as rising housing costs, job loss, domestic violence, health challenges, or other unexpected hardships.
Following the overnight count, ADVOCAP will host a free Community Resource Fair on Thursday, July 23, from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM at the ADVOCAP Fond du Lac office, 19 W. 1st Street. This fair brings together nearly 20 organizations from across Fond du Lac County to connect individuals with services related to housing assistance, healthcare, employment and training, financial counseling, transportation resources, food and nutrition, coordinated entry, and other essential needs. The following organizations will be available to provide support, answer questions, and help attendees access services:
- ADVOCAP
- ADRC of Fond du Lac County
- Catholic Charities
- Children’s Museum of Fond du Lac
- Consumer Credit Counseling Service
- Extension Fond du Lac County
- Fond du Lac County Health Department
- Forward Service Corporation
- Goodwill NCW Financial Wellness Services
- Job Center of Wisconsin
- Managed Health Services (MHS) – Wisconsin
- New Beginnings Pregnancy Care Center Inc.
- Office of Veteran Employment Services (WI Dept of Workforce Development)
- Collaborative Wellness
- SER National
- SSM Health Greater Fond du Lac
- The Salvation Army of Fond du Lac
- United Way Fond du Lac County
- Veterans Affairs (VA) Appleton Clinic
Free hygiene kits, snacks, and door prizes will also be available. Learn more on the Facebook event page here.
ADVOCAP encourages community members to learn more about homelessness in their area and the important role the Point in Time Count plays in understanding local needs and strengthening community response.
For more information about ADVOCAP’s housing and homelessness assistance programs, visit www.advocap.org/services.
