A PiT Count Survey provides important and necessary data to give context for the count. While it is important to know the number of people experiencing homelessness in community, it is equally important to understand the circumstances of those experiencing homelessness.  The survey is not designed to be a comprehensive research instrument; instead, it helps communities to identify broad trends and patterns. 

A PiT Count Survey Form has three distinct components:

• The opening script, used by volunteers to obtain consent from potential participants;
• The screening questions, used by volunteers to determine who is eligible to participate in the survey;
• The survey questions, asked by volunteers to gather data on individuals who are experiencing homelessness.

– Excerpt from the COH PiT Count Toolkit

A Focus on Youth

There is a growing recognition of the benefits of standardizing PiT Count surveys across communities. With common indicators, we can paint a clearer and more accurate picture of homelessness regionally and importantly, across Canada. As a result, the COH recommends that communities conducting discrete Youth Counts, align with other PiT Count survey instruments, as much as possible. The Youth Count survey is primarily based on the survey instruments developed by the Homelessness Partnering Strategy and those found within the COH PiT Count Toolkit.

The Opening Script

The script provides volunteers with consistent language to introduce themselves, explain the purpose of the count and ask for participation. Volunteers should use the script to initiate contact with every person they encounter on the street. Thus, the script must be clear, concise and easily repeated. The script is equally essential in the shelter.

– Excerpt from the COH PiT Count Toolkit

In a Youth Count, the script serves the same purpose as described above. Youth, before consenting to the survey, must understand what the survey is about, why the information is being collected and that if they choose to participate, they can stop at anytime. 

Youth Count Sample Script My name is [first name] and I am a Youth Count volunteer. We are conducting a short youth housing survey in [community name]. The data collected will remain confidential and will be used to determine how we can improve housing options for youth in [community name]/ May I ask you a few questions to determine if you’re eligible to participate? You can stop at anytime.

The Screening Questions

The screening questions ensure that only those eligible, based on your definition of youth homelessness, participate in the Youth Count survey. Unlike the traditional PiT Count methodology, the Youth Count screening questions are designed to screen-in youth who are couchsurfing. If your community is interested in capturing other forms of homelessness, such as those at risk of homelessness, you will need to modify the screening questions accordingly.

A.   Have you answered questions with a person with [identifier: button, lanyard, clipboard, sticker]? 

[Yes: Thank and tally]                      [No: Go to B]

B.   Are you 24 or younger?

[Yes: Go to C]                                 [No: Thank and tally]

C.   Do you have a permanent residence you can return to tonight?

[Yes]                                              [No]

D.   Where are you staying tonight?

*if conducting the count over more than 24 hours, insert date

Decline to answer Own apartment/house Motel/hotel Hospital, jail, prison, remand centre	Emergency shelter, domestic violence shelter Transitional housing Public space (e.g. sidewalks, squares, parks, forests, bus shelter) Vehicle Makeshift shelter tent or shack Abandoned/vacant building Other unsheltered location Don’t know (likely homeless)	Someone else’s place (friend or family)
Thank and tally	Go to F	Go to E

E.   Are you staying there because you are without a place of your own?

[Yes: Go to F]                                   [No: Thank and tally]

F.   You are eligible to participate in the survey. Would you like to continue? Your information will be kept confidential and you can stop at any time.

[Yes: Begin survey]                           [No: Thank and tally] 

The Survey

In Canada, there has been a significant effort to align PiT Count surveys across communities. By asking the same questions, in a consistent way, we can compare results across communities and build provincial, territorial and national pictures of homelessness. We encourage, wherever possible, that Youth Count surveys utilize existing questions created by the Homelessness Partnering Strategy and the Canadian Observatory on Homelessness.

In an effort to build alignment, the COH has created a Youth Count survey. We strongly recommend that all communities use this survey as the basis for their Youth Count. It is deliberately concise; we encourage you to add additional questions that satisfy your local requirements.

Download the customizable Youth Count survey.

For survey design tips and strategies, refer to COH PiT Count Toolkit: Designing your Survey Form Checklist.

Unique Identifiers

The risk of duplication, or double counting, is more likely in a Youth Count than it is in a traditional PiT Count. We strongly recommend that all Youth Counts assign unique ID’s to youth participants. Unique ID’s will help to facilitate the data cleaning process. There are numerous ways to create unique IDs. The COH recommends the first name initial, last name initial, month of birth and date of birth. For example: John Smith, born on December 20^th would provide the following information: JS1220

Regardless of your approach, do not ask youth to provide their name. Assure youth that the Youth Count survey will be kept confidential and all data will be aggregated. At no point in time shouldthe unique identifiers be shared. 

For more information on unique identifiers, refer to the Youth Count! Process Study.  

The Tally Sheet

Tally Sheets - used on the street and in the shelter - indicate how many people have been approached, the number of individuals surveyed and those that may be eligible to participate but are unable or unwilling to do so.

At the top of each Tally Sheet, volunteers should indicate their search area/location, the time of their shift, their name and their contact number. This allows you to follow-up with a volunteer if you discover discrepancies or missing data at the time of input.

– Excerpt from the COH PiT Count Toolkit

Tally sheets are only required in the unsheltered count and magnet events. Your tally sheet should provide space for volunteers to indicate:

• The number of individuals that decline to participate
• The number of individuals that are ineligible to participate due to housing status, age or previous participation
• Youth that indicate they are homeless but are under the age of 15

Download a sample Youth Count tally sheet.

Building Alignment: Tips & Strategies

We strongly recommend that you work with the general PiT Count organizers to develop a single, coordinated survey. Using separate surveys is logistically complicated and may be difficult for volunteers to implement accurately, even with effective training. Ensure that the survey covers key questions pertaining to youth homelessness including: sexual orientation, Indigenous identity, educational attainment, experience in foster care and barriers to housing. As recommended in the COH PiT Count Toolkit and the Youth Count Toolkit, seek input from individuals with lived experience, including youth, on survey design.