Santa Monica Homeless Count

two volunteers on the street at night

2022 Santa Monica Homeless Count

January 26, 2022, 11pm-3am

Location TBD
(The location is still being finalized; the City will notify volunteers of the deployment location and provide relevant details closer to the date of the event.)

This annual event is conducted as part of the Greater LA Homeless Count. That night, volunteer teams count people experiencing homelessness on every block of the City. In addition to being required by the U.S. Dept. of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), Count results measure how local & regional strategies are working and help inform how and where resources are deployed. To learn more about the importance of the homeless count, please click here.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Count will be conducted differently this year. The City will follow public health guidelines by encouraging face coverings, moving training online, conducting deployment activities outdoors, and limiting social interactions. Food and beverages will not be provided. Volunteers are encouraged to register in pre-formed teams of 3-4.

REGISTRATION
There are a few ways to register for the Homeless Count this year:

Sign up to count with your pre-formed team (of 3-4 people) - this is where we have the greatest need! We are asking volunteers to sign up in teams of 3-4 people who are already part of a “pandemic bubble” or that you would otherwise feel comfortable riding with in one car. On the night of the count, your full team must arrive together in one car.
Sign up to count as an individual: If you have not identified a pre-formed team of 3-4 at this time, you are still welcome to sign up as an individual for the Count. Volunteers who sign up as individuals will check in at the deployment site, and then will be responsible for their own transportation from the deployment site to the designated count location to meet up with the other members of the team.
Sign up to help at the deployment site: We also need help with event logistics at the deployment site (set-up/tear-down, distributing/collecting materials, etc.). This is ideal for people who wish to help at the deployment site only, rather than being part of a counting team.
Register to volunteer here: surveymonkey.com/r/smhcount2022

WHAT’S NEW/WHAT TO EXPECT
Things will be different this year so please read this, even if you’ve done this before!

Volunteer training will be provided in advance on a virtual platform. Volunteers must complete the training before the night of the Count.
We won’t be offering food/beverages at the deployment site, so bring your own snacks and coffee for the night.
This year, we will be utilizing the county’s web-based app to collect data. Each team will need at least one person with a smartphone. Please have yours charged up, and bring a portable charger if you have one.
Individual volunteers must arrive at the deployment site at 11:00pm. You will be assigned to a team, and then will be responsible for their own transportation from the deployment site to the designated count location to meet up with the other members of the team. Once assigned, please head directly to your assigned area. We must limit the number of people at the deployment site at any given time.
Pre-formed teams of 3-4 people must arrive at the deployment site together in one vehicle at 11:30pm. You will be directed to a drive-thru check-in where you will be assigned to a count area and receive count materials.
City staff will assign each team an area to survey and provide Count materials at the deployment site. Teams will either drive or walk every street, alley, and park in their area to visually count people experiencing homelessness. Each team will also enter Count data using a smartphone app. You will not be asked to engage with or interact with persons that appear to be homeless.
Some team assignments include walking teams where volunteers may walk 2-3 miles. If you are unable to walk this distance, please contact the Housing and Human Services Division at HumanServices@santamonica.gov at least one week prior to the event.
Volunteers can expect to return to the deployment site between 2:00 and 3:00 am. You must return together as a team so we can account for all volunteers.
The Count happens rain or shine! Dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes.

VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS
Please consider the following requirements to volunteer for the Homeless Count:

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, or 16-17 and accompanied by a parent/guardian on a 1:1 ratio at all times. Volunteers ages 16-17 must be registered as part of a team of 3 or 4 people by an adult who is 18 or older.
All volunteers are required to sign a general liability waiver and photo release.
Some team assignments include walking teams where volunteers may walk 2-3 miles. If you are unable to walk this distance, please contact the Housing and Human Services Division at HumanServices@santamonica.gov at least one week prior to the event.
No skills or experience are required! Volunteer training will be provided in advance on a virtual platform and count materials will be distributed at the deployment site on the night of the Count. This is a visual count only. You will not be asked to engage with or interact with persons that appear to be homeless.
Individual volunteers must check-in at the deployment site and then will be responsible for their own transportation from the deployment site to the designated count location to meet up with other members of the team.
Pre-formed teams must arrive in the same car together.

OTHER WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
There are many ways to get involved in efforts to address homelessness:

Encourage others to volunteer for the 2022 Homeless Count: Invite your family, friends, and colleagues to register for the Count and share out information on your Facebook, Twitter or other social media accounts.
100 HOMES Initiative: Volunteer to help the City reach its goal of moving 100 people out of homelessness into permanent homes by donating household items and assisting people to move into their new homes.
We Are Santa Monica Fund: The We Are Santa Monica Fund provides a critical and timely vehicle for neighbor-to-neighbor support, as members of our community struggle to get by, put food on the table, and care for their loved ones. www.calfund.org/wearesantamonica
To find out more about previous Count results and how the City is addressing homelessness, visit: santamonica.gov/topic-explainers/homelessness
Please visit www.santamonica.gov/coronavirus-volunteer to explore other ways to give back to your community.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How will the Count be different this year?
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City will follow public health guidelines at the Count by encouraging face coverings, moving training online, conducting deployment activities outdoors, and limiting social interactions & no refreshments. Volunteers are encouraged to register in pre-formed teams of 3-4. Additionally, all teams will now also be entering Count data on a smartphone app.
Will I be talking to people experiencing homelessness?
This is a visual count only. You will not be asked to engage with or interact with persons that appear to be homeless.
What do I need to bring with me the night of the Count?
The Count happens rain or shine so dress accordingly! Wear layers and comfortable shoes. Bring a water bottle, snacks, and a cell phone charger. All teams must enter Count data on a smartphone app so at least one member of your team will need a smartphone. We do not provide storage, so do not bring anything that you cannot carry for the duration of the Count. Since you will need to drive to your assigned count location – be smart about parking legally, lock your car, and do NOT leave personal items out in view.
Can I bring my pet?
Furry volunteers must stay home - no pets allowed, sorry!
Where can I learn more about what the City of Santa Monica is doing to address homelessness?
To find out more about previous Count results and how the City is addressing homelessness, visit: santamonica.gov/topic-explainers/homelessness

2022 Santa Monica Homeless Count

January 26, 2022, 11pm-3am

Location TBD(The location is still being finalized; the City will notify volunteers of the deployment location and provide relevant details closer to the date of the event.)

Location TBD
(The location is still being finalized; the City will notify volunteers of the deployment location and provide relevant details closer to the date of the event.)