Data from the annual point-in-time count shows that homelessness in Maricopa County has skyrocketed over the past few years. But this year’s updates show an increase in the county’s ability to provide shelter to people without housing.

The one-day survey is Conducted in Januaryone study recorded 9,435 people experiencing homelessness. Report released Wednesday. This is a slight decrease from the previous year, when volunteers and outreach workers contacted a record 9,642 homeless people countywide. However, the report notes that heavy rain during this year’s count may have reduced the number of unsheltered people counted on the streets.

It is unlikely that homelessness is actually decreasing – Additional data from the Maricopa Association of Governments Shows people are still becoming homeless in Maricopa County 2x faster Homeless people are looking for housing.

Point-in-time counts distinguish between unsheltered individuals living on the streets and sheltered homeless individuals staying in emergency shelters or temporary housing. Data on protected individuals is believed to be reasonably accurate because it comes directly from shelter night-time occupancy records.

This year’s count shows a record 5,359 homeless people staying in shelters. This is a 13% increase compared to 2023 and reflects the addition of more than 800 new shelter beds across the county in the last year alone. Huge expenditure by the statecounties and local governments are primarily funded by federal pandemic recovery aid from the American Rescue Plan Act.

Officials argue it will increase community benefits.

“We’re seeing our investments in shelter pay off,” Rachel Milne, director of Phoenix’s Office of Homelessness, said in a press release. “While we know we still have a long way to go, it’s great to see additional shelter resources available to people experiencing homelessness in our region. It can be the first step to ending homelessness.”