Philadelphia saw a nearly 7% decline in homelessness this year, according to the city's annual Point-in-Time Count.
The federally required count, conducted Feb. 25, 2026 by the Office of Homeless Services (OHS) and the Philadelphia Continuum of Care, found 5,163 people experiencing homelessness across the city, down from 5,516 in 2025.
The annual Point-in-Time Count provides data about homelessness trends, and is tallied on a single night. The information is used to help determine federal funding, guide local policy and identify service needs. Volunteers, nonprofit organizations and city staff count people staying in emergency shelters, transitional housing and Safe Haven sites, as well as those living outdoors or in places not meant for human habitation.
The most significant change came in the city's unsheltered population. This year's count found 711 people living outside, a 39% decrease from 1,178 people last year. It marks the first decline in unsheltered homelessness in two years and one of the largest year-over-year improvements in recent years.
The number of people staying in shelters or other temporary housing increased slightly. The count found 4,452 people experiencing sheltered homelessness, up just over 2% from 4,338 in 2025.
Before this year's count, Philadelphia had reported steady increases in the number of people living and sleeping on the city’s streets each year since 2023.
“The PIT Count results are encouraging, but they still demonstrate the need for continued work to expand shelter, outreach, behavioral health services, and affordable housing so every Philadelphian has access to safe, stable places to live,” said Cheryl Hill, Executive Director, Office of Homeless Services.
City officials credited several initiatives aimed at expanding shelter and outreach services.
In December 2025, Mayor Cherelle Parker signed the One Philly Response to End Street Homelessness executive order, which included a plan to boost the city’s approximately 2,700 shelter bed inventories by an additional 1,000 beds.
The city has also expanded several homelessness programs, including HOPE 220, an OHS Solution Center that provides more than 70 beds along with primary health care, behavioral health services and housing assistance.
Philadelphia also partners with Project HOME to operate the One Philly Ambassadors of Hope street outreach team in Center City and Old City and has expanded hours of operation and meals at the Hub of Hope daytime drop-in center.
"Everyone deserves a clean, safe place where they can live with pride and dignity, including our most vulnerable residents," said Parker.
“Our efforts are focused on improving the quality of life for all of us — not just people experiencing unsheltered homelessness — because we all count,” added Hill.
If you or someone you know is living outdoors and needs help, call 215-232-1984.
For help finding emergency or temporary shelter, or where to access free meals, visit phila.gov
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