Volunteers Needed For 2024 Long Beach Homeless Point In Time Count

LONG BEACH, CA — The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services is seeking 300 volunteers to help conduct the 2024 Point in Time Count on Jan. 25.

The yearly count records the amount of people experiencing homelessness in Long Beach. The count is vital in determining the scope of homelessness within the city to identify gaps and available resources to better serve the unhoused.

"The Count is a communitywide effort that provides an opportunity for residents and local businesses to learn about people who are experiencing homelessness, gain an understanding of the resources available, and actively contribute to the City’s efforts to address homelessness in Long Beach," city officials said.

Volunteers must be at least 18 years or older to participate and should expect to commit to a four-hour canvassing shift as well as a two-hour orientation prior to the day of the count. The volunteer orientations are mandatory and will take place on the following dates:

• Jan. 10 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. via Zoom
• Jan. 11 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Long Beach Multi-Service Center
• Jan. 16 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Long Beach Multi-Service Center
• Jan. 18 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. via Zoom

The count will begin at 4:30 a.m. at the Grand Long Beach on Jan. 25 when groups will be assigned segments of the city for the street-based count. During the count, volunteers will administer a survey to any people experiencing homelessness.

Volunteers will be provided gift cards, hygiene kits and water to distribute to the unhoused people they engage with.

Registration is now available online and will remain open until slots are filled. If more than 300 people register to volunteer, they will be added to a waitlist.