DOTHAN, Ala. (WDNews) — Volunteers and donations are being requested ahead of the 2026 Point-In-Time Count, a nationwide effort to measure homelessness across the Wiregrass.
The 2026 PIT Count will take place on Saturday, Jan. 24, surveying where people stayed the night before on Friday, Jan. 23. The count will cover Coffee, Dale, Geneva, Henry and Houston counties.
The annual count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is used to measure the extent and nature of homelessness. The data helps guide the distribution of federal housing resources, identify service gaps and track progress toward ending homelessness.
The count is coordinated locally by the Southeast Alabama Coalition for the Homeless, which oversees the survey of sheltered and unsheltered adults, youth and children across the five-county region.
Each county will host an event to provide services and conduct interviews with individuals who may be experiencing homelessness. In Coffee County, events will be held at First Methodist Church and Heritage Church in Enterprise. Dale County’s event will be hosted at Shal B Ministries in Ozark. Geneva County will operate out of the Geneva Baptist Association in Hartford. In Henry County, events will be held at the Judson Association Building in Abbeville and the Overflowing Mission Building in Headland. Houston County’s event will take place at the Dothan Housing Authority.
In addition to service sites, teams will visit known outdoor locations and encampments to connect with individuals living without shelter.
Volunteers are needed to help gather accurate information and strengthen local support systems. Participants are asked to serve a four-hour shift on Jan. 24 and may choose from a variety of indoor or outdoor roles. Organizers encourage individuals, families, coworkers and community groups to volunteer together.
SEACH is also accepting donations to provide items for participants who complete the survey. Needed items include food, snacks, toiletries, hygiene supplies, warm clothing, blankets, transportation gift cards and other essential items.
Those interested in volunteering or donating can contact SEACH by email at [email protected] or by phone at 334-796-1778.
