FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 14, 2026 Contact: Anna Scott, (760) 873-3305

Annual Point-In-Time Count to Measure Homelessness in Alpine, Inyo, and Mono Counties

SPAGHETTI DINNERS OFFERED AT BISHOP AND LONE PINE WELLNESS CENTERS ON SAME NIGHT

The Eastern Sierra Continuum of Care announces the Annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count will take place from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, January 22 across Alpine, Inyo, and Mono counties. This federally required, single-night snapshot identifies individuals and families experiencing homelessness and helps guide local planning and support funding for outreach and housing resources.

Inyo County employees, partner agencies, and community volunteers will conduct brief, confidential surveys during the count, which is required every January by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Individuals to be surveyed fall under three categories as defined by HUD:

• Unsheltered: Staying in places not meant for human habitation (streets, cars, parks, abandoned buildings)

• Sheltered: Staying in emergency shelters, safe havens, or transitional housing programs

• Domestic Violence: Individuals in DV shelters or meeting “literal homelessness” standards are included

The data collected during the PIT guides local planning and resource allocation; supports grant applications and funding decisions for outreach, housing, and supportive services; and strengthens regional coordination among service providers and public agencies.

To foster community connection, spaghetti dinners will be served at the Wellness Centers in Lone Pine, 310 N. Jackson St., and Bishop, 586 Central St., on the night of the count. After January 22, service-based counts will continue for five days to identify individuals engaging with services post-PIT. The follow-up surveys will include data from meal sites, drop-in centers, day shelters, wellness programs, and other service locations – helping overall to improve the accuracy of the PIT and identify service gaps and outreach opportunities.

“The Point-In-Time Count is an essential tool for understanding who in our community needs support right now,” Inyo County Health and Human Services Director Anna Scott said. “By partnering with agencies and volunteers, we can collect meaningful data that directly informs funding decisions and helps us deliver effective services across Alpine, Inyo, and Mono counties.”

Community members are encouraged to support the PIT in a variety of ways, from volunteering for survey teams (training and materials will be provided), to assisting with meal service during the Lone Pine spaghetti dinner and sharing information about the PIT and post-count service window, to referring individuals experiencing homelessness to Wellness Centers and service sites during and after the count.

“We’re grateful for our volunteers and partners who step up each year,” Scott said. “From canvassing to hosting welcoming meals, this collaboration ensures people are counted and connected to resources.”

To volunteer, donate, or learn more: email [email protected].

For individuals seeking services: visit or call the Wellness Centers in Lone Pine (760-876-4574) and Bishop (760-873-8039) on the night of the count and during the five-day service window that follows.

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