Every jurisdiction in the region is affected by homelessness. Through close collaboration, the members of COG’s Homeless Services Planning and Coordinating Committee are able to share strategies in addressing common challenges that are unique to living in a high-cost housing market such as metropolitan Washington. To support the members of the Homeless Services Planning and Coordinating Committee, COG also organizes training events, discussions, and speakers on recent research and best practices in the field.
Through the committee, COG conducts an annual point-in-time (PIT) enumeration of the region's homeless and formerly homeless population. Conducted every January since 2001, the enumeration provides a one-day snapshot of the number, demographics, and distribution of the region’s individuals and families experiencing homelessness. COG produces an annual PIT report on the year’s enumeration results, trends, and programs serving homeless and formerly homeless people in the region. This annual effort creates a platform for regional collaboration and problem solving to prevent and end the experience of homelessness region-wide.
News & Multimedia
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News
May 10, 2017
According to a 2017 report by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG), there are 11,128 persons experiencing homelessness in the area – a 9...
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News
May 11, 2016
According to an annual report by COG, there are 12,215 homeless individuals living in the area – a 5 percent increase (or 592 people) from the 2015 count. The...
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News
August 13, 2015
Laura Zeilinger, Director of the Department of Human Services for the District of Columbia, led discussion on homelessness with area officials gathered for the...