The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) is recruiting thousands of volunteers for the 2026 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, scheduled for Jan. 20-22, as the annual census faces ongoing questions about its accuracy and reliability.
Volunteers of all ages are welcome to participate in the three-night event, though those 17 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is open now, and all past volunteer accounts have expired, requiring returning participants to create new accounts. The count typically requires three to four hours of volunteer time, including training, and takes place at night in most areas.
LAHSA coordinates approximately 150 deployment sites across LA County’s 4,000 square miles. Teams of three to four canvass assigned census tracts after 8 p.m., using a mobile app to visually tally every person sleeping outdoors or in vehicles, tents and makeshift shelters. Paper forms serve as backup if technology fails…