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Volunteers Needed for 2026 Homeless Count
By Staff Writer
Published on Mon, Nov 10, 2025
Long Beach is asking for help from the community as it prepares for its 2026 Point in Time Count — an annual effort to tally and connect with people experiencing homelessness.
The citywide survey will take place early in the morning on Thursday, January 22, 2026, and officials hope to recruit 350 volunteers to make it happen. Registration is open now and will stay open until all spots are filled.
The Point in Time Count is more than just a data exercise. It’s also a chance for residents and businesses to connect with neighbors who are struggling, learn about available resources and be part of the citywide response to homelessness.
Long Beach is one of only three cities in Los Angeles County that independently manages its own Continuum of Care, a local network funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that coordinates housing and services for people experiencing homelessness. While HUD requires that a count be conducted every other year, Long Beach holds its survey annually to get a clearer, more consistent picture of homelessness in the community.
Volunteers will gather at 4:30 a.m. at The Grand Long Beach (4101 E. Willow St.) on the morning of the count. Teams of three to five people will be assigned to different areas of the City, where they’ll survey individuals and distribute small items such as gift cards, hygiene kits and water. Most teams will cover their areas on foot, though some may drive.
To join the effort, volunteers must be at least 18 years old, attend one of several required training sessions in January, and commit to a four-hour shift the morning of the count. Orientation sessions will cover how to use the mobile app, safety tips and how to engage respectfully with people experiencing homelessness.
Options for completing the training include virtual sessions from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays Jan. 6 and Jan. 13 or an in-person course from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8 at the Housing Authority (1500 Hughes Way).
