Thousands Volunteer To Help Count Homeless In LA County

But with extra funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Veterans Affairs this year, LAHSA was able to hold the count consecutively.

The Point-In-Time Count is an annual nationwide effort in January, and in OH, it is conducted the fourth Tuesday night of the month and into the early morning hours the next day, according to Kathleen Shanahan, the program coordinator with Montgomery County housing and homeless solutions.

Last year, the number of homeless people on the streets and in shelters of LosAngeles County had increased 12 percent compared with 2013.

Dolores Diaz will talk about the upcoming homeless count Monday on Midday.

Standing in the basement of the New London Homeless Hospitality Center – where volunteers gathered before heading out – Kelly Thompson, executive director of Alliance For Living, said she and Clevenger were stationed in the center for last year’s count.

After leaving the house, Shippee noted that there are many different ways of being homeless that she’s seen. “For the first time you’ve got everybody focused”.

People from these areas wanting to volunteer can sign up online.

This year, the count is happening a little differently.

HUD defines a homeless individual as anyone living in an emergency or domestic violence shelter; in a place not meant for permanent human habitation, such as an outbuilding, cave, tent, camper or public place; or in a hotel or motel that is being paid for by a nonprofit organization or church because the person can not afford to pay for it themselves.

“I think this year, there’s a renewed sense of commitment, urgency and collaboration”, Kane said. She said they will get help them to get off the streets and deal with issues that brought them there.