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Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count Seeks Volunteers
With the annual Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count less then a week away, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) is actively recruiting volunteers to participate in the three-day event, scheduled for January 20-22, 2026. LAHSA aims to have approximately 4,200 volunteers, and currently has nearly 3,000 registered.Interested individuals can sign up to volunteer at theycountwillyou.org.
Count schedule by Region
The count will be conducted across different regions on consecutive days:
- Tuesday, January 20: San Fernando Valley and Metro Los Angeles
- Wednesday, January 21: San Gabriel Valley and East Los Angeles
- Thursday, january 22: Antelope Valley, West Los Angeles, South Los Angeles, and the South Bay/Harbor region
The cities of Glendale, Long Beach, and Pasadena will conduct their own independent counts through their respective health departments.
Why the Count Matters
The annual point-in-time count is crucial for several reasons. It fulfills requirements set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and provides a yearly assessment of the number of people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles county. This data is vital for allocating resources and developing effective strategies to address homelessness. HUD requires these counts to receive federal funding for homeless assistance programs.
Improvements for 2026 Count
LAHSA officials have implemented several improvements to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of the 2026 count:
- App-Based Data Collection: For the fourth consecutive year, volunteers will utilize a mobile app to collect data.
- enhanced Mapping: Improved maps will guide volunteers and ensure comprehensive coverage.
- Increased Support staff: More LAHSA staff will be available at deployment sites to provide technical assistance and distribute materials.
- Simplified Training: Training materials have been streamlined for both volunteers and site coordinators to ensure consistency.
- Expanded Outreach: LAHSA is collaborating with the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services and the Emergency Centralized Response Center to provide additional outreach support, notably in challenging areas like creeks, deserts, and areas deemed unsafe for general volunteers.
- Revised Inventory and Youth Counts: The processes for the Housing Inventory Count (sheltered populations) and the Youth Count (ages