The numbers are finally in, and Amarillo’s total for those experiencing homelessness is higher than previous years.
The annual Point-in-Time count took place Jan. 30, after a winter storm delayed the count by a week. Results were expected to be tabulated within a month, but they were released Wednesday, May 13.
According to the City of Amarillo and the Amarillo Continuum of Care, the 2026 PIT count identified 728 individuals experiencing homelessness, compared with 641 in 2025. The report also showed that many of those counted were experiencing homelessness for the first time or had recently entered homelessness.
Following the release of the city’s PIT count, Transformation Park officials say the new numbers reflect both growing economic pressure on local families and the importance of expanded shelter capacity in Amarillo.
“We know the PIT count showed an increase, but honestly, that does not come as much of a surprise to us,” said Mark Zimmerman, executive director of Transformation Park. “What we are seeing are more people who are struggling to keep up with the rising cost of living. Housing, groceries, utilities, transportation, everything costs more than it did just a few years ago, and for people already living paycheck to paycheck, it doesn’t take much to end up in a crisis.”
The count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and is used by communities across the country to understand local trends, support planning efforts and inform funding needs.
No children were identified as unsheltered during the 2026 count. On the night of the count, 287 people utilized one of the three emergency shelters. Because not every person answered every voluntary survey question, some findings should be understood as directional indicators, rather than exact measures of data.
The city’s data found:
Of those:
Zimmerman said those numbers reflect what Transformation Park staff and volunteers are seeing every day.
“We are meeting people who never imagined they would find themselves in this situation,” Zimmerman said. “Some have lost jobs, some are dealing with medical issues, and others simply can’t keep up with rent increases and rising expenses. These are our neighbors, and many are experiencing homelessness for the very first time.”
While the overall PIT count increased, the report also showed meaningful progress in Amarillo’s shelter system.
For the first time in four years, more individuals were counted in shelters than unsheltered locations, with shelter utilization increasing by more than 30% year over year.
“More people staying in shelters is a really positive sign,” Zimmerman said. “When someone has a safe place to sleep, they are more likely to connect with services, stabilize, and begin taking steps forward. It also reduces pressure on emergency rooms, law enforcement, and other community resources.”
In its first year of operation, Transformation Park has:
Zimmerman said the organization’s success is only possible because of community support.
“We are incredibly grateful to the City of Amarillo, our volunteers, churches, donors, and community partners,” he said. “Over the past year, volunteers have donated more than 26,000 hours to this mission. Amarillo is a community that truly cares about people, and we see that generosity every single day.”
For January’s count, volunteers gathered at the Community Services area at the Simms Municipal Building to get goody bags containing needed supplies and resources to give out to those who need them. Sheila King, grant monitor for the City of Amarillo Community Development Department, explained at the time that the count is mandated by the federal government and assists cities in keeping track of those experiencing homelessness in Amarillo and other cities to see if facilities are adequate for the numbers.
According to information provided by the City of Amarillo, Transformation Park says demand for shelter and services continues to grow, and they encourage community members to remain engaged, especially through recurring monthly support.
Donations can be made at https://www.mytransformationpark.com/.
“One of the most impactful ways people can help is by becoming a monthly donor,” Zimmerman added. “Even a $20 monthly gift helps us continue meeting the growing needs we are seeing across our city.”
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo homeless figures rise to 728, PIT count shows
Reporting by Nell Williams, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
