Who is Counted?

Only people who meet HUD’s definition of “Literal Homeless”, as defined in paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) of the homeless definition in 24 CFR 578.3, are included. To be considered literally homeless for purposes of the K-Count, an individual or family must either:

• Have a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not meant for human habitation.
  • For example; outside, in a car, or in abandoned building.
• Is living in a publicly- or privately-operated shelter designated to provide temporary living arrangements.
  • This includes congregate shelters, transitional housing, and hotels or motels paid for by charitable organizations or by federal, state, and local government programs.

It is important to view the K-Count data in context with other sources of data pertaining to various kinds of homelessness. Remember, the purpose is to capture a snapshot of the approximate number of people experiencing a specific type of homelessness - which is often those with the highest level of immediate need.

How is the K-Count Conducted?

The count must take place during a single 24-hour period during the last 10 days in January. The count is organized and conducted by service providers and volunteers in local communities using one-on-one surveys and the Kentucky Homelessness Management Information System. KHC is responsible for coordinating the count for the Balance of State (BoS) - all Kentucky counties except Fayette (Lexington) and Jefferson (Louisville).

Lexington and Louisville coordinate their own counts but share their results with KHC to be included in the county-by-county report, made available to the public each year.  

K-Count Trainings and Instructions

Leading up to each year’s K-Count, KHC will post information in this section to help communities conduct the count, including video trainings and written instructions.

Housing Inventory Count

Each year in conjunction with the annual K-Count, the U.S. Department for Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires each Continuum of Care (CoC) to collect information on the bed and unit inventory available as part of its homelessness response system. In Kentucky, those would again be Lexington, Louisville, and the BoS.

This is known as the Housing Inventory Count (HIC). All emergency shelters (ES) and transitional housing (TH) projects that submit data for the K-Count, regardless of funding source, must submit a HIC form to KHC. In addition, all Rapid Re-Housing (RRH) and Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) projects, regardless of funding source, must also submit HIC Forms. Additional information about the HIC will be posted below when available.