Homelessness in Philadelphia fell nearly 7% from last year, according to a new report. On Wednesday, the Office of Homeless Services released the findings of its latest Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, conducted on Feb. 25, 2026. The report found 5,163 people experiencing homelessness, a 6.61% decrease from the 5,516 counted last year. The PIT Count provides data on homelessness trends that help guide local policy, funding and resource allocation. As part of the annual count, volunteers collect basic demographic information on a single night, including age, sex, race and ethnicity. This year, the report found 711 people living unsheltered — meaning they were living or sleeping outside or in a place not meant for human habitation. Officials said that represents a 39% decrease from 2025, when 1,178 people were living unsheltered. According to the city, this decline marks the first decrease in unsheltered homelessness in two years and represents one of the largest year-over-year improvements recorded in recent years, officials said. The report also found that 4,452 people were experiencing sheltered homelessness, living in emergency shelters, transitional housing or Safe Haven sites. That was a 2.6% increase from last year’s count of 4,338. “Our efforts are focused on improving the quality of life for all of us — not just people experiencing unsheltered homelessness — because we all count,” said Cheryl Hill, Executive Director, Office of Homeless Services. “Thanks to Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s visionary plan and commitment to end street homelessness, the City is now decreasing the number of people living unsheltered.” The city said the complete 2026 report will be available later this summer. ...read more read less