In many ways, the Youth Count methodology is similar to a general PiT Count. The main purpose of Youth Counts is to enumerate youth homelessness in communities. Youth Counts too, utilize many of the same counting methods as a PiT Count. For example, a Youth Count should include efforts to enumerate and survey youth experiencing unsheltered and sheltered homelessness.

However, there are notable differences between a general PiT Count and a Youth Count - for good reason. PiT Counts, as they are traditionally implemented, do not adequately measure the full extent of youth homelessness in a community. To those familiar with PiT Counts, this may not be a surprise. PiT Counts inherently undercount homelessness. They provide us with a best estimate of homelessness. In other words, a useful “snapshot” of the issue at a single point-in-time. 

That said, a PiT Count is especially likely to undercount youth experiencing homelessness. Youth are less likely to use dedicated homelessness services. Further, they are often less visible due to high-levels of transience or survival strategies that leave them hidden, such as couch-surfing. In some instances, youth make deliberate efforts to remain hidden, due to fear or mistrust of authorities such as child protection services and law enforcement. As a result PiT Counts may, understandably, undercount the number youth experiencing homelessness.

The Youth Count methodology focuses on:

• Meaningful engagement of youth throughout planning and implementation;
• Measuring hidden homelessness, including couch-surfing;
• Additional enumeration methods such as magnet events, service counts and school counts; and
• Indigenous and LGTQ2 homelessness.