Orange County will conduct a homeless count beginning Jan. 24 after the 2021 count was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Point in Time (PIT) homeless count is conducted once every two years during the last ten days of January.
The data collected on the given night allows the county to better understand the demographics of its homeless population and respond to the homeless crisis.
The last count conducted in 2019 revealed 6,860 homeless people throughout the county, about 58 percent of whom are unsheltered, according to the Orange County Everyone Counts PIT 2019 report.
The 2017 report counted 4,792 homeless people in the county, following the 4,452 reported in 2015 and 4,251 in 2013.
As the January count approaches, Orange County officials are seeking volunteers to assist with preparing for and conducting the count.
Those volunteering on the days of the count will be assigned to specific areas to survey the homeless situation.
Along with completing the training, volunteers will need to provide either proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative PCR test result.
Monetary and noncash donations for the count are also sought.
Items needed for the count include masks, sanitizers, disposable gloves, disinfectant wipes, snack kits, bottled water, and gift cards to grocery stores and eateries.
These resources will be distributed throughout the event to volunteers and the homeless encountered.
