As she walks among the tables behind Loaves & Fishes, Heather Counts is all smiles. She introduces herself, lets the group of assembled men know why she’s there, and asks for just a few minutes of their time. She explains she’ll ask a handful of questions and enter the information into an app on her phone.

“Where did you sleep last Monday night?” she asks, after getting a name and basic details. She talks with them about their medical history and whether they’ve experienced mental health challenges. She leans in close, speaking quietly and soothingly, creating a nearly private conversation in a very public place as people walk by. And people are opening up.

“In an abandoned house,” one replies.
“At the bridge downtown,” says another.

Heather is working with Root Analytics to coordinate the biennial, statewide Point-In-Time (PIT) Count in Macon-Bibb County. The count helps provide a clearer picture of how many people are experiencing homelessness in the community. It also helps guide services and supports applications for state and federal funding.

The PIT Count is a one-night census of people experiencing homelessness. On a single night during the last ten days of January, communities across the country pause to take a coordinated snapshot of who is sleeping outside or in places not meant for human habitation, as well as those in emergency shelters or temporary housing. Teams begin the count by surveying known locations.

“Fortunately for Macon-Bibb, we have built strong ties between government agencies, nonprofits, and social service institutions, each of which plays a major role in ensuring a comprehensive count,” said Dr. Jake Hall with Root Analytics.

PIT data helps determine how much federal funding comes into a community, where it goes, and which populations are prioritized. It informs housing strategy, shelter planning, outreach efforts, and long-term investments. While it offers a national snapshot of homelessness trends, it also serves a critical local purpose.

“Throughout the year, we canvas the entire county. That ongoing work informs our areas of focus for the PIT count,” said Dr. Hall. “We survey dozens of known locations, including encampments along the downtown corridor and river, larger encampments in more remote areas, cars, shelters, and service hubs.”

As Heather continues talking with the first two men at Loaves & Fishes, others begin volunteering to participate. Still, she never rushes a conversation, even after the survey is complete. When one man mentions he has a girlfriend and tells her who she is, Heather smiles.

“Oh, I know her,” she says. “We talked last week. Please tell her I said hello.”

After completing surveys, volunteers provide scarves, hand sanitizer, and bus passes as a thank you. The passes help people reach service meals and other needed resources.

Though Heather is officially there to collect survey data, she talks with nearly everyone, whether they are participating that day or not. She greets many by name and asks how they’ve been doing. When one man doesn’t respond loudly, she simply offers a kind word.

“Not having a great day? That’s fine. We all have those. I hope yours gets better from here.”

Some conversations are casual, centered on where people are in life and how they are doing. It is clear Heather has spent time building relationships and trust, getting to know people as individuals, not just survey responses.

Some had already completed the survey earlier in the week when the PIT count began. Heather and other volunteers canvassed the community, meeting people where they are, whether at encampments or at places offering meals and services.

On this day, she is talking with people as they eat a meal provided by Loaves & Fishes, one of the Downtown service providers.

Before leaving, Heather returns to the man who mentioned his girlfriend and hands him an extra scarf.

“Give this to her and tell her to stay warm. I’ll see her next week.”

After the count, the data is deduplicated, reviewed, and reported by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Locally, Macon-Bibb County uses the information to compare trends, identify gaps, adjust strategy, and make the case for smarter investments in the housing response system. The PIT Count does not end homelessness, but it tells the truth about it for one moment in time.

“This work would not be possible without our amazing partners and volunteers, all who have spent hours planning for this work, attending training on the app and more, and meeting people where they are,” adds Dr. Hall.

Partners and groups include the Bibb County Homeless Coalition, Daybreak, Mentor’s Project of Bibb County, Macon-Bibb Economic Opportunities Council, Macon Outreach at Mulberry, Loaves and Fishes Ministry, Hope for Houston, River Edge Behavioral Health, Centenary Methodist, Weekend Lunch at Christ’s Church, Fire Department, Bibb County Sheriff’s Office, Code Enforcement, Emergency Management Agency, Macon-Bibb Land Bank Authority, Macon-Bibb Affordable Housing Fund, Macon-Bibb Health Department, Macon Transit Authority, Atrium Health Navicent, Piedmont Healthcare, Mercer University, Middle Georgia State University, and extraordinary volunteers.