San Bernardino County puts out call for homeless count volunteers

As the Jan. 23 date of the next Point-In-Time Count to assess the local homeless population, San Bernardino County put out the call for volunteers Wednesday.

The annual census of people experiencing homelessness gathers data that will be used to determine the county’s share of funding to address the issue from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Officials said a special focus for volunteers will be on offering supportive services to unhoused people in real-time alongside teams of outreach workers from county agencies.

In addition to determining federal funding allocations, the Point-in-Time Count “provides a snapshot of the county’s homeless population, which enables officials to track progress toward reducing homelessness and ensure resources are being directed where they are most needed. … (and) also serves as an opportunity to mobilize county departments and partners to serve the most vulnerable populations in real time,” officials said.

“The Office of Homeless Services is proud to team up with the San Bernardino County Homeless Partnership and our dedicated volunteers to collect critical data that will support efforts to address homelessness,” OHS Chief Marcus Dillard said in a statement. “We are deeply committed to ensuring that our homeless population has access to safe and stable housing. We also plan to provide supportive services to those we encounter during the PITC, just as we did last year.”

With the guidance of an internet-based app, county employees, community groups, homeless service providers, property and business owners and volunteers will fan out across cities, towns and unincorporated communities to count, survey and assist people whose primary place to live during nighttime hours is a vehicle, park, abandoned building, transit center, riverbed or other unsheltered area.

Officials encouraged both individuals and organizations to participate in the count. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and have a mobile phone with Android or iOS to conduct the survey. Count organizers will assign groups of participants to cover specific areas of the county.

The count may require a bit of walking, and volunteers must have personal transportation, according to the county. Training will be provided in person and online.

“The success of the annual count largely depends on city and community partnerships,” Dillard said. “I strongly urge the community to volunteer and help us make a meaningful impact in addressing homelessness.”

To register as a volunteer, visit sbchp.sbcounty.gov/community-projects/point-in-time-count. Questions about the count should be directed to Claudia Doyle, 909-501-0617 or claudia.doyle@hss.sbcounty.gov.

More information on OHS is at homelesstohome.sbcounty.gov.

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