Volunteers needed for one-day homeless count in San Mateo County

Volunteers needed for one-day homeless count in San Mateo County

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Volunteers are being sought to conduct the biennial One Day Homeless County in San Mateo County.

In collaboration with community partners, the San Mateo County Human Services Agency will conduct the count on Thursday Jan. 31, 2019, from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m.  The census and survey aim to gather data on the number, characteristics, and service needs of people experiencing homelessness in San Mateo County. They are a crucial component to planning and developing services in the county.

After the most recent count in 2017, the county determined there were 1,253 homeless people the night of Jan. 25 of that year, including 637  unsheltered, living on the streets, in cars, in RVs or tents and encampments, and 616 sheltered, living in emergency shelters or transitional housing.

That overall homeless count in 2017 was a 16-percent decrease compared with the one-day count in 2015, with the biggest decreases made in the numbers of people living on the streets and in encampments.

To volunteer in the next count, sign up here. Volunteers must attend a 2-hour volunteer training.

Photo: San Mateo County Human Services Agency