OCALA, FL (352today.com) – There’s no question that homelessness is a problem in Ocala and Marion County.

The first step to effectively addressing the issue, however, is to agree on the scope of the problem. Currently there seems to be a discrepancy in the underlying numbers, which is an obvious cause for concern. The question is, what is being done to resolve this disparity and to make certain the numbers are accurate.

It may seem as if it’s a Herculean effort, but community leaders, government entities, agencies and nonprofits have come to the table to address an issue that, while endemic to many communities, has certainly become a problem in our greater metropolitan area. 

A determination of how many people are homeless in Marion County, or in the City of Ocala for that matter, depends on the studies you consult. As the amount of funding allocated to address this issue, and the associated problems systemic to those who find themselves without a place to call home, will be determined by the estimated size of the problem, an accurate understanding of the scope is key to implementing an effective response. 

A closer look at two of the key studies being cited indicates that the different methodologies utilized in the estimation of these numbers play a significant role in the underlying discrepancies.

A comprehensive homelessness data review and HUD proposal demonstrated the current data discrepancies between the numbers generated by the Marion County Public Schools identification from 2024-25, and those of the HUD Point-in-Time (PIT) Count from Jan. 2025.

The MCPS identification (2024-25) provided the following estimates:

  • Total Students identified: 1,566
  • Shelters: 102
  • Serial temporary stays in private residences (aka couch surfing): 1,007
  • Cars/Parks: 133
  • Hotels/Motels: 314

The Housing and Urban Development PIT Count in Jan. 2025, told a far different story:

  • Total Counted: 391
  • Scope: A one-night count in January, shelters and unsheltered only
  • Exclusions: “Doubled up” situations such as staying temporarily with friends of family, motels and transient arrangements.

Looking closer, there are reasons for the above discrepancies based on the methodologies employed.  The HUD PIT methodology misses hidden homelessness, excludes doubled up individuals and families, is conducted only once a year and is primarily visual and survey-based, leading to inaccuracies with the count.

The school system methodology yields different results by placing an emphasis on capturing broader situations, with continuous tracking throughout the school year. The school system methodology includes those who are doubled up and accounts for transient arrangements, such as students living in hotels or staying briefly at the various residences of friends and relations. There is also a greater emphasis being placed on detailed documentation and a direct interaction with the students who were the subjects of the study.

A series of proposed enhancements of current HUD guidelines are under consideration including local methodology enhancement, data integration with the Marion County Public Schools and enhanced community collaboration.

A proposal for HUD guideline expansion would include allowing doubled up and motel resident data from school systems to supplement traditional PIT data and to conduct a hybrid approach that would allow year-round tracking and point-in-time sampling. The proposal would also include HUD officially recognizing McKinney-Vento data with the Continuum of Care submissions nationwide to ensure broader accuracy in youth homelessness counts.