Annual Homeless Count
Learn more about the annual count including volunteer opportunities.
Every winter, in January or February, typically about 250 volunteers count the number of people experiencing homelessness in our city. The Point in Time count is a communitywide effort that provides an opportunity for residents and local businesses to actively contribute and learn about people who are experiencing homelessness and gain an understanding of the resources available to address homelessness in Long Beach. The count is vital in determining the scope of homelessness, defining existing resources available and identifying gaps to better serve these individuals.
The results of the most recent count can be found at 2023 City of Long Beach Homeless Point in Time Count Report (Español).
The City's press release regarding the results can be found at Long Beach Releases Results of the 2023 Homeless Point in Time Count.
2023 Homeless Count Information
The 2023 Long Beach Homeless Count took place on January 26, 2023. This Point-in-Time (PIT) Count is a communitywide effort to count and survey people experiencing homelessness in our community. It is vital for determining the scope of homelessness, defining existing resources available, and identifying gaps.
In 2023, about 300 volunteers helped conduct the PIT Count. Information regarding volunteer opportunities for the 2024 count will be shared in fall 2023. We invite you to join us for a hands-on opportunity to hear directly from people experiencing homelessness and partner in improving the services and solutions we offer.
Volunteer
To volunteer for the PIT Count, people must:
- Be 18 years or older.
- Attend a two-hour orientation and training prior to the day of the Count. Orientations will be held both virtually and in person and will occur in early January.
- Commit to a four-hour canvassing shift. Volunteers will be expected to report at a specific time, typically around 4:30 a.m. and dispatched to the field by 5 a.m.
Donate
To financially contribute towards Count incentives, people can donate online at Mayor’s Fund For Homeless Action and type “Homeless Count - Mayor's Fund” in the Additional Comments box. Donations can also be made by check. Check donations may be mailed to Long Beach Community Foundation, 400 Oceangate, Suite 800, Long Beach, CA 90802. Please make check payable to “Long Beach Community Foundation” and write “Homeless Count - Mayor's Fund” in the memo section of the check. These tax-deductible donations will be used towards gift cards and other incentives for individuals being surveyed on the day of the Count.
Community members can also donate socks, travel-sized hygiene products, bottled water and small gift cards of $5 to $10, which will also be distributed during the Count. Physical donation items can be dropped off at the Long Beach Multi-Service Center, located at 1301 W 12th St., between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. To learn more about ways to donate, people may email HomelessCount@longbeach.gov.
For any questions or more information, please contact HomelessCount@longbeach.gov.
2023
2022
2020
- 2020 Press Release
- 2020 Homeless Count Comparison
- 2020 Homeless Count Summary
- 2020 Housing Inventory Count
- California Continuums of Care: Comparison of 2019 and 2020 Homeless Counts
