COG report: Annual count shows slight decline in regional homelessness

total of 9,659 people were counted experiencing homelessness on one day in the region in 2025, according to a report by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) highlighting results from the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) count conducted by area jurisdictions and homeless services providers in January 2025.

The region's number of people experiencing homelessness decreased by 115 persons, a one percent decrease from the 2024 enumeration. This is the first decrease following two years of increases. This year's results varied across jurisdictions, with four recording increases and four reporting decreases compared to last year's count where seven of eight jurisdictions recorded increases.

The District of Columbia had the largest decrease in homelessness from 2024 to 2025, down 478 people (9 percent), followed by Loudoun County with 51 fewer people (17 percent). Montgomery County saw the largest increase, up 366 people (32 percent), followed by Prince William County with a rise of 47 people (14 percent).

While homelessness in the region has increased over the past five years, the 2025 total remains below pre-COVID levels. During the pandemic and years of expanded federal aid and eviction moratoriums, the region documented lower levels of homelessness, including a record low in 2022. From 2021 to 2025, the metropolitan Washington region has observed a 19 percent increase in people experiencing homelessness, rising from 8,086 in 2021 to a total of 9,659 in 2025.

Notably, the number of individuals in permanent housing is over three times higher than those experiencing homelessness, reflecting a 37 percent increase in permanently housed individuals since 2021.

The number of individuals served by rapid re-housing, supportive housing, and other permanent housing solutions reached all-time highs in 2024 and 2025. This reflects the region's continued successful efforts to place many more people into permanent housing.

The report notes that continued progress in ending homelessness will require maintaining momentum and addressing the region's most persistent barrier: the severe shortage of affordable, available, and permanent housing for its lowest-income households. Achieving lasting progress will depend on sustained funding for viable housing solutions, improved data and analytics, and the development of strong service pathways that support long-term housing stability.
The PIT count provides a one-day "snapshot" of individuals in the region who are: unsheltered and living on the streets, including parks, alleys, and camp sites; staying in an emergency hypothermia shelter or safe haven; living in transitional housing where they receive supportive services designed to help them move into some form of permanent housing; and those no longer experiencing homelessness and are now living in permanent supportive housing or other permanent housing.

This is the 25th consecutive year that COG has published its report to provide information on the scope and circumstances of homelessness in the region as well as the long-term impact of housing programs and services. Area jurisdictions connect regularly through COG to share strategies and coordinate their responses to homelessness.

Read the Results and Analysis from the Annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count of Persons Experiencing Homelessness