2026 Point in Time (PIT) Count Resources for Surveyors
Solano County
Date & Time of the Count: January 29th 2026

Thank you for registering as a Surveyor for the 2026 Point in Time Count in Solano!

This page was created to share helpful information and next steps for surveyors. If you have not yet registered, please sign up here to participate in collecting survey data on the day of the Count.

1. Download the Counting Us app.
Links to access the app that will be used to support the count are below as well as in this "Getting Started" flyer.

Counting Us can be downloaded via Google Play Store or Apple App Store:
Google Play: https://bit.ly/Counting_Us_Google
Apple: https://bit.ly/Counting_Us_Apple

2. Share what you know: Identify Known Locations before we Count
Are you aware of homelessness hot spots in your area? Through the Counting Us App, you can help us locate critical areas to send surveyors during the day of the Count. To submit known locations, use the "Known Location Survey" found within the Counting Us app to identify areas where you believe contain people experiencing homelessness.

Click here for a brief video explaining how to use the app to tell us about Known Locations.
NOTE: All known locations must be submitted by January 20th at 5 PM.

3. Surveyor Training – What You Need to Know before we Count
Surveyors will be asked to go into the field and talk with members of our community experiencing homelessness. Solano County is offering countywide training resources, to help you better prepare for the Count event. 

• In Person Training - January 14th at 10:00 AM
  Fairfield Community Center
  1000 Kentucky St.
  Willow Hall
• Virtual Training Videos
  A step-by-step training video series is available as well. Click here to access the videos.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Point in Time (PIT) Count?
The PIT Count is a US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) mandated census count of people experiencing homelessness in a community on a particular date. The count is conducted during the last ten days of January. Every community in the country conducts an annual PIT Count for people in shelters. Communities also count people experiencing unsheltered homelessness every other year although many regions still opt to conduct the unsheltered count every year.

Why conduct the PIT Count?
The PIT Count is important an important element to end homelessness. The Count helps raise awareness of the challenges people experiencing homelessness face. It’s a chance for us to hear personal experiences and make connections to support the individuals in our community. The PIT Count also identify trends over time and inform investments, programs, and policies to address homelessness.

What is your role as a Surveyor?
Your main role is to cover your entire assigned area.

• One or more people from your group will use the Counting Us app to input the results of your interviews with persons experiencing homelessness.
• If you need to leave early, or someone else from your group needs to leave early (always make sure that the group is not smaller than two people, and that the group is able to finish covering the entire map area during the day of the count).
• You will work with your jurisdictional lead and team lead for more detailed instructions.

What are our expectations of you as a Surveyor? 
Our primary expectations are for you to be respectful, spread awareness, and practice deep, compassionate, and active listening. We can all learn things from each other, so don’t be afraid to seize the opportunity as a listener. When interacting with folks experiencing homelessness, remember that we are guests in other’s spaces.

To learn more about practices on cultural humility, trauma-sensitivity, compassionate listening, and best practices, check out the resources below:

• The Importance of Cultural Humility in Today’s Society
• Cultural Humility: People Principles and Practices
• Compassionate Listening
• What is Trauma-Informed Care?
• Trauma-Informed Interviewing

How do I get started with using the Counting Us App?
Guidance on registering for the count, accessing the app, and starting the count can be found in this "Getting Started" flyer. Once logged in...

1. Select the survey you want to conduct (options are listed below)
2. Select if you wish to conduct the survey in English or Spanish
3. Indicate if you are surveying or observing either an “individual or household”
   • An individual is a single person that does not currently live with anyone else
   • A household is a group (2+) of people who are currently living together
4. Ensure your location is correct and tap “Next Step”
5. Begin interviewing or observing!

How and when do I use each survey within the Counting Us app?
The Counting Us app includes an Unsheltered Survey as well as the two observation tallies listed below. The videos and PDFs below will guide you on when to use each instrument. 

1. The Unsheltered Survey ("I am interviewing a person")
   • Click here for a PDF version
2. The Unsheltered Observation Tally ("I am observing a person")
   • Click here for a PDF version
3. The Vehicle/Structure Observation Tally ("I am observing a vehicle or makeshift shelter")
   • Click here for a PDF version

Who am I counting with and where do I need to go?
Details will be provided within the My Count section of the app as shown in this FAQ. This information is subject to change and may not be updated until the day before the count, so please review this the day before.

I have additional questions, where can I get help?
For additional Frequently Asked Questions for Surveyors, click here.