Volunteers Conduct Homeless Count in Los Angeles
Los Angeles saw volunteers count tents and RVs on Tuesday night, patrolling dimly lit streets during the city’s annual point-in-time (PIT) counting period. This initiative is spearheaded by volunteers and can potentially secure the state hundreds of millions in federal funding. However, the count relies heavily on observation from inside vehicles since volunteers were instructed not to exit their cars.
Mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the PIT count has been gathering data on both sheltered and unsheltered homelessness since 2007. It assists in guiding federal funding through various grants. Though the counts have been required since 2005, attention shifted to unsheltered homelessness in 2007 to improve data reliability for funding purposes.
A three-day counting process kicked off on Tuesday, with volunteers congregating at a downtown community center. They received training on using an app designed for data collection and were instructed to prioritize safety while observing and documenting with a focus on remaining inside their vehicles.
Dressed in bright yellow vests, volunteers marked their intended routes on a physical map for the night’s count.
A group of three partnered with the Daily Caller News Foundation to get an inside look at the counting process. They headed to less populated areas away from Skid Row, exploring residential neighborhoods and underpasses while maintaining a slow pace to observe better.
“You really need to take it slow to see everything properly,” said the navigator, Adam, as he guided the driver, Kate, through the streets.
Adam noted his previous involvement in last year’s PIT count and expressed a sense of responsibility in participating again. The counting proceeded with collected data being recorded, as they encountered various people, tents, and vehicles.
Despite the quick process taking roughly 90 minutes, they noted that the trail appeared less congested compared to last year.
“Last time, there were a lot more RVs,” Adam mentioned, reflecting on previous counts.
During their observations, the volunteers acknowledged that the counting system has flaws, accepting it as an “imperfect science.” Ideas like using drones were floated, underscoring the group’s concerns about volunteer safety.
The figures recorded that night—tents, rundown RVs, and scattered individuals—felt modest. The team logged their findings in real-time to ensure accuracy and compliance with HUD rules while accounting for the challenges of potential undercounts.
Before the night’s count began, Councilor Nithya Raman celebrated the city’s reported decrease in unsheltered homelessness, attributing it to significant efforts and investments over the past two years. Yet, she also urged the state legislature to not cut funding despite ongoing budget constraints.
Adam Murray, CEO of the Inner City Law Center, stressed the need for accurate data, recognizing its vital role in addressing homelessness effectively.
“We have to prioritize preventing homelessness before it starts,” he said, also highlighting the critical need to make housing affordable for low-income families.
For years, critics have called for improved counting methods, as the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) aims to enhance data accuracy to secure funding. For 2024, HUD allocated over $220 million to tackle homelessness in Los Angeles, reflecting a significant increase from previous funding amounts.
Yet the situation remains concerning. California’s homeless population has sharply risen, with the latest estimates indicating a 60% growth since 2015. Though LAHSA reported minor decreases in unsheltered homeless individuals recently, audits have pointed out lapses in oversight, especially concerning funding protections.
As the volunteers returned late at night, they shared insights while staff compiled data. Federal dollars continue to pour in, and while small improvements are apparent, the issue looms large as many still face homelessness across the city.
