Volunteers Begin the 2026 Homeless Count Tonight
Hundreds of Volunteers to Conduct Annual Homeless Count in Los Angeles
On Tuesday night, hundreds of volunteers will embark on the annual Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, which spans three nights throughout the San Fernando Valley and metro Los Angeles area. This effort aims to provide a snapshot of homelessness across the Los Angeles Continuum of Care, excluding specific cities like Long Beach, Pasadena, and Glendale, which will hold their own counts.
Results from the count are expected to be released by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) in late spring or early summer. Gita O’Neill, the interim CEO of LAHSA, is scheduled to deliver remarks during a briefing at 7 p.m. at the Inner City Law Center, 1309 E. Seventh St., to mark the first night of the operation.
Key figures participating in the event include City Councilwoman Nithya Raman, chair of the Housing and Homeless Committee, Daniella Urbina, a senior advisor to L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis, Amber Sheikh, chair of the LAHSA Commission, Adam Murray, CEO of Inner City Law Center, and Martin Holguin, treasurer of the Liver Experience Advisory Board.
On the same evening, The Hollywood Partnership, which oversees the Hollywood Entertainment District, will host the "Hollywood Pit Stop." Volunteers are set to gather at 6000 Hollywood Blvd. at 7:30 p.m. before heading out to count homeless individuals in the Hollywood area. Kathleen Rawson, CEO of The Hollywood Partnership, and City Councilman Hugo Soto-Martinez are set to lead this initiative.
The count will continue into Wednesday in the San Gabriel Valley and East Los Angeles, concluding on Thursday in the Antelope Valley, West and South Los Angeles, and the South Bay/Harbor region.
To enhance the counting process, LAHSA officials implemented several improvements this year. For the fourth consecutive year, an app-based data collection method will be employed, accompanied by upgraded maps and increased technical support staff. This aims to ensure that volunteer efforts are efficient and organized.
Additionally, LAHSA has streamlined training materials to enhance the volunteer experience, while coordinating with the county’s Department of Health Services and Emergency Centralized Response Center for additional personnel. These measures aim to facilitate counting in challenging areas, including rugged locations such as basins, creeks, and deserts.
The agency has also revamped procedures for the Housing Inventory Count and Youth Count to improve response rates and increase sample sizes. Notably, the Youth Count will be conducted over an expanded nine-day period for individuals aged 10 to 19, while the Housing Inventory Count will commence earlier to optimize data review and validation efforts.
