Service-based counts are essential to understanding the scope and nature of homelessness in a community. In this process, community partners (local food banks, libraries, youth service organizations) review their client files over a fixed, one month period to determine how many people they have assisted who are experiencing homelessness. This information is aggregated to paint a picture of homelessness in the community.

Not only do they help to educate the public and decision makers about homelessness but they also provide evidence to support funding requests for community based services for people experiencing homelessness.