Modesto-area homeless count needs 250 volunteers to help with next one in late January
Organizers of the annual count of homeless people in Stanislaus County and its nine cities are looking for 250 volunteers to help with the latest effort, which takes place Jan. 26.
Volunteers will undergo training and work with members of the county’s homeless outreach and engagement team in having homeless people complete surveys. Volunteers also will hand care packages to the people they survey.
The surveys include questions on where people first became homeless, the reasons for their homelessness and whether they have a serious mental illness and-or substance abuse disorder. About three-quarters of homeless people in previous counts have reported they first became homeless in Stanislaus County.
The annual counts are conducted on behalf of the Stanislaus Community System of Care, whose members include local governments, nonprofit organizations and homeless service providers.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires these counts as part of receiving homelessness funding. These tallies are called point-in-time counts and are conducted in communities nationwide on the same date in late January. The count consists of a tally of homeless people living outdoors as well as shelters reporting how many people are staying with them.
The counts provide a snapshot of homelessness and are not definitive. The results can vary widely based on the number of volunteers, the weather, how well a count is organized and whether law enforcement conducted sweeps of encampments just before a count.
For instance, last year’s count turned up 1,857 men, women and children in Stanislaus County, about 1,000 fewer people than the previous count. But last year’s count was delayed because of the pandemic, had fewer volunteers than previous counts and the weather was extremely cold, which meant some homeless people were indoors with family or friends. Law enforcement sweeps also hampered the count.
To volunteer, go to stanislaus.pointintime.info. Volunteers need to be at least 18 years of age. Volunteers also can sign up by calling 209-558-2961 or emailing csoc@stancounty.com. Jan. 6 is the deadline to register as a volunteer.
