The Regional Task Force on Homelessness needs more volunteers for the 2024 Point in Time Count on Jan. 25 and The Compass Station in Pacific Beach is again preparing for the big day.

Upwards of 1,600 volunteers countywide will participate in the annual PIT Count interviewing unsheltered residents throughout the region from 4-8 a.m. on Thursday, Jan. 25. The count is led by the RTFH as part of a federal funding mandate. It also helps RTFH learn more about the people experiencing homelessness while raising awareness about the crisis.

Caryn Blanton, executive director of nonprofit Shoreline Community Services at 1004 Chalcedony St., which addresses the unmet needs of unsheltered individuals and families in the central beach area, explained why the PIT count is so important.

“It’s a federally mandated requirement to be conducted every two years, but San Diego has decided to do the count every year,” Blanton said adding, “This is the best way to get a pulse on the (homeless) population.”

Volunteers performing the PIT count have a phone app they can use now with survey questions making it easier for them to query the unsheltered. “Those participating are rewarded with a gift card,” Blanton said. “We want people to engage so we can see, overall, what’s going on.”

Data from the PIT count has been useful in reflecting current trends in homelessness in San Diego revealing a growing – and aging – unsheltered population. “For every 10 people who found housing –16 people experienced homelessness for the first time in San Diego County,” noted Blanton. “At The Compass Station, Shoreline Community Services’ drop-in resource center, 35% of the 600 individuals who visited last year were over 55 years old.”

“Whether you have a strong opinion about the homeless situation, simply don’t know what to think about it, or don’t know how best to help, I strongly urge you to challenge yourself by volunteering for this vital count,” said Dawn Reilly Jessop, who participated in last year’s count volunteering with The Compass Station.

“It will provide you the opportunity to speak directly with those affected and better understand the individual experiences of our unhoused neighbors. Yes, it is early. Yes, it will be cold. But it will be eye-opening. You will meet like-minded people, help secure more funds for San Diego, hand out socks and gift cards, be rewarded in smiles, and there will most likely be free donuts and coffee.”

Reilly Jessop suggested checking with your employer, as many will be willing to pay employees to take the day off to volunteer for the PIT count.

Another Shoreline PIT volunteer, Susan Harrison, agreed helping do the count is fulfilling. “This Jan. 25 will be my third experience working with the annual PIT in the San Diego beach area assisting in setting up and directing the (volunteer) teams,” Harrison said.

“The irony of this small time to count is the extended amount of preparation by the County to make this small window of time come together. Maps are created for each team to search a specific area and are numbered by priority. A highly valued pair of socks is provided for each person located. Stacks of gift cards are provided for those who answer the surveys, which have been downloaded on the volunteers’ cell phones.”

Added Harrison: “So impressive is the recruitment and online training the County provides the volunteers. Enthusiastic people show up at 3 a.m. with high expectations for contributing. Some come as teams of friends or work teams. The work teams of Councilmember Joe La Cava and Supervisor Tara Lawson stood out as the most prepared and aware of the significance of the event. Others show up and our team helps to put them into safe groups to work together.”

Concluded Harrison: “One of the values of this count is to help our community understand the scope of the situation, and to provide them opportunities to be part of the solution.”

For more information, visit shorelinecs.org.