The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) is seeking thousands of volunteers for its upcoming annual homeless count, scheduled for January 20-22, 2026. With just two weeks until the event, officials have set a target of recruiting 6,500 volunteers to assist with this important initiative. As of Monday, approximately 1,500 individuals had registered, a number that LAHSA spokesman Christopher Yee expects to rise as the count dates draw near.
The point-in-time count is crucial for understanding homelessness in Los Angeles County, which spans over 4,000 square miles. Volunteers will work in small groups to document the number of unsheltered individuals, tents, makeshift shelters, and vehicles within their assigned census tracts. This data is essential for informing how funding, housing, and services are allocated throughout the region.
Significance of the Count
Yee explained that the annual count provides valuable insights into the scope and nature of homelessness in the Los Angeles area. The collected information plays a critical role in guiding policymakers and service providers to develop effective strategies for addressing homelessness. “As lead of the Los Angeles Continuum of Care, LAHSA is committed to bringing government and service provider partners together to shape an effective, efficient rehousing system that brings unhoused Angelenos off the streets,” he stated.
In previous years, the count has adapted to external factors impacting the homeless population. For instance, during last year’s wildfires, LAHSA focused on assisting individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness or residing in interim housing near evacuation zones. Yee noted that the agency will monitor how displacements from last year’s emergencies may affect this year’s count.
Count Schedule and Additional Efforts
The 2026 homeless count will commence in the San Fernando Valley and the Metro area of Los Angeles on January 20. The following day, volunteers will spread out across the San Gabriel Valley and East Los Angeles. On the final day, volunteers will count unhoused individuals in the Antelope Valley, West Los Angeles, South Los Angeles, and the South Bay/Harbor region.
In addition to the unsheltered count, the Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count also includes a youth and shelter count. The youth count is conducted throughout January in collaboration with youth service organizations, while the shelter and housing inventory count is scheduled for January 21. Concurrently, officials from the University of Southern California have initiated a demographic survey of unsheltered individuals, which will continue through March.
Volunteers interested in participating in the count can register at count.lahsa.org. As the deadline approaches, LAHSA encourages individuals from all backgrounds to join this important effort to better understand and address homelessness in Los Angeles County.
