NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Every year, volunteers take one night to count the number of people experiencing homelessness in Nashville and the city publishes the results as a Point In Time Count.

The 2025 PIT Count took place on the evening of January 23; more than 100 volunteers and 32 organizations helped collect the data.

Here are three key takeaways from this year's count.

1. The number of people experiencing homelessness increased over last year — by 4.1%

That represents an increase of 86 people in all.

"While any increase is cause for reflection, it's important to note that this rise remains well below the national average of an 18% increase in homelessness in 2024," Metro Office of Homeless Services Director April Calvin said. "Thanks to the dedication of outreach teams, service providers, and community partners who continue to work tirelessly to connect people with housing, services, and support-we are holding the line."

The count is broken down into two categories: the unsheltered count and the sheltered count. Those in the unsheltered count were people sleeping outdoors, in vehicles or in other places not meant for habitation. People in the sheltered count slept in emergency shelters and transitional housing.

Though the overall number of people experiencing homelessness increased by 4.1%, the unsheltered count decreased by 123 people — or 17%.

2. Nearly half of those in the unsheltered count were experiencing chronic homelessness

According to the OHS, the Department of Housing and Urban Development adopted the federal definition of a chronically homeless person: a person with a disabling condition who has been continuously homeless for at least a year or people with a disabling conditions who have had at least four periods of homelessness within the past three years.

That means that families can be considered chronically homeless. While this year's PIT Count did not provide insight about the number of families experiencing chronic homelessness specifically, families with children did make up 4% of households within the total count.

In October 2024, the state approved the use of COVID-19 response pods to be used as transitional housing by the city. However, in March, the plan was in jeopardy due to federal funding cuts.

Last month, though, Metro announced plans to distribute pallet shelters for use as temporary housing to community partners. They're meant to offer safe, private spaces for people who cannot easily access group shelters — and could work to reduce the number of people in future unsheltered counts.

3. 43% of those in the unsheltered count were staying in encampments

An additional 22% of those in the unsheltered count were staying on streets or sidewalks while 13% were staying in vehicles.

Last September, signs were placed around Nashville's then oldest and largest homeless encampment, "Old Tent City," advising those there that they would need a new place to live. Though the city initially delayed demolishing the structures in the encampment, by October, demolitions had started.

In March, Metro announced plans to close "Old Tent City." By June, the site was closed. It is unclear how many unsheltered people during this year's PIT Count were staying in the encampment.

"Each person's experience with homelessness is unique, and there is a lot we can learn from more robust information," Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell said. "...This information is key to developing more cohesive collaboration and comprehensive services for people experiencing homelessness in Nashville."

Notably, the count does not include people staying with friends and family, living in hotels or people staying in institutions like jails or hospitals.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/2025-pit-count-takeaways/