More Volunteers Needed to Count Homeless People

We’re almost there but not quite.

Thank you to the hundreds (about 700, in fact!) of employees who have responded to our call and signed up for the annual Point in Time Count of the homeless population.

The County is still looking for about 200 more volunteers to help count homeless people, especially in the north and east regions.

The count takes place Friday, Jan. 25, 2019 from 4 to 8 a.m. The registration deadline is Jan. 23.

What will you be doing during that time?

This year, volunteers will count and survey homeless people they see in a certain area.

This is what the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development calls an “engaged” survey-based approach, where the homeless will be asked a list of questions when they are counted. To learn more about the 2019 changes, please watch this brief, three-minute video.

Last year, the region’s combined total came to 8,576 people, the fourth highest number in the nation. The count helps the region identify the scope of the problem and find solutions on how to best serve this vulnerable population.

The Regional Task Force on the Homeless is leading the local point-in-time effort with the WeALLCount campaign. Hundreds of County workers from departments across the organization have taken part in past years.

If you would like to volunteer, review the FAQs and then obtain approval from your supervisor via the supervisor approval form.

You will get paid County time, so if you’re interested sign up here.