San Diego County on Wednesday encouraged residents to volunteer for the annual Point-in-Time Count, a snapshot of the region’s homeless population set for Jan. 29.
Around 300 county employees volunteer for the pre-dawn count each year, but it takes around 1,700 total volunteers to participate.
The annual Point-in-Time Count, from 4-8 a.m., is coordinated by San Diego’s Regional Task Force on Homelessness and provides a one-day total of the number of people experiencing homelessness in the county, including those in emergency shelters and safe parking lots.
“The Point-in-Time Count is a vital tool that helps us understand homelessness in our community and shape how we approach solutions,” said Dijana Beck, director of the County Office of Homeless Solutions. “Every volunteer plays a critical role in ensuring we have accurate data to secure resources and create programs that make a real difference.”
Last year, the number of people experiencing homelessness in the county dropped by 7%, with a drop of about 14% in the city of San Diego, according to the data. The volunteers found 9,905 people experiencing homelessness throughout the county, down from 10,605 in 2024.
Last year’s data showed 5,714 unsheltered San Diegans, with 4,191 individuals in shelters and transitional housing.
The task force organizes and trains volunteers. Those who sign up go out in small groups to help conduct a brief survey and do a headcount of people they encounter living outside. Volunteers can select designated areas to participate, according to a county statement.
The information collected is used to apply for federal and state funding.
