Thanks to thousands of volunteers, the largest point-in-time homeless count in the United States got underway Tuesday night in Los Angeles County, starting in San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley and Metro Los Angeles.

Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority oversaw 49 deployment sites in those three areas on Tuesday, with volunteers driving or walking in teams to count homeless people on streets, in parks, near public buildings, and living in cars, tents and RVs.

Last year the homeless count reached 75,312 in Los Angeles County. A similar number is expected this year when results are tabulated in June from the 2025 Greater Los Angeles homeless count.

According to LAHSA figures from 2024, 52,296 or 70% of L.A. County’s homeless didn’t live in shelters.

The point-in time count takes place over four days. On Wednesday, East Los Angeles and San Gabriel Valley were counted, with 54 deployment sites. Today, Antelope Valley, South Bay, South Los Angeles and West Los Angeles will be counted, with 47 deployment sites.

“We go out and literally count who we see experiencing unsheltered homelessness,” said Stephanie Klesky-Gamer, president and CEO of L.A .Family Housing, a nonprofit organization in North Hollywood that operates transitional housing facilities.

On Friday, LAHSA officials will conduct homeless counts in indoor shelters and other residences, according to Klesky-Gamer.

On Tuesday night, L.A. Family Housing served as one of the deployment sites in North Hollywood, with about 35 volunteers taking part.

“It takes a small army, that’s for sure. … It’s usually in January, but this year (the count) was postponed because of the L.A. fires,” Klesky-Gamer said.

Volunteers travel in groups of two or three and are equipped with the Quick Capture application on their phones. While tracking their location as they canvass an area, volunteers input whether they’re seeing families, children under 18, adults aged 18 to 24, or adults over 24. They also note if the homeless individuals have a dwelling, whether a car, van, tent or shelter.

“This is a process that helps supplement some underfunded government work,” said Steve Greene of Glendale, who has participated as a volunteer in four other homeless counts.

“It’s vital, it’s important, and it’s a way to take part in your community,” Greene said. “Sometimes state, federal and local governments need a little help from the community.”

The point-in-time count is an annual requirement of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and helps determine the funding each region will receive.

Greene said that depending on the location and route you are assigned, doing the count can take from 45 minutes to more than two hours. He said it’s always felt like a safe experience in part “because you go in numbers, you’re wearing bright reflector vests and you have flashlights.”

The guidelines during the count prohibit any engagement with homeless people, and volunteers are advised to count just those who they can see.

“The count is set up in a way that’s very respectful of people’s boundaries,” Greene said. “It’s not designed in a way where you go and interact with people.”

Klesky-Gamer noted that outreach is for another time. “This isn’t a night to engage and ask if they need anything,” she said. “Tonight it’s just for us to have a snapshot, a point in time. … When we do it the same way year over year, it’s easier to compare.”

According to LAHSA, 5,800 volunteers will take part this year, covering 4,000 square miles in 3,249 census tracts.

“The Count provides greater insight into homelessness across the Los Angeles region and helps policymakers deliver programs and services where they are needed most,” LAHSA said in a statement.

Eric Montoya, a community advocate who has worked with L.A. Family Housing for 25 years, was once homeless.

“I think it’s very much needed,” he said of the count. “It’s good to know, in each community, how many people are experiencing homelessness so we can provide the services they need.” A recovering addict, Montoya said many people turn to drugs after they become homeless, not before.

“A lot of people that I work with in outreach never used drugs until they were out in the street,” he said. “Nobody wants to be on the street.”

Wayne Brander has served on the board of L.A. Family Housing for 17 years. He and his wife, Holly, drove up from Long Beach to take part in the count on Tuesday night in San Fernando Valley.

“So 17 years ago I decided I could no longer look away. … The homeless issue is an issue for all of our communities,” Brander said.

Brander donned a reflective vest and headed out with other volunteers to walk the neighborhood around LA Family Housing’s headquarters on Lankershim Avenue, and when they saw homeless people near several makeshift forts they counted them as discreetly as possible.

Karson Holbrook and his wife, Cassidy Lafee, who live in North Hollywood, have volunteered for several point-in-time counts.

“In this area, we drive through the North Hollywood neighborhoods and just kind of keep our eyes out,” Holbrook explained. “We live here. … We see people who don’t have homes, who are out, (so) it’s just a way to help give back to our community.”

Lafee said, “We’re trying to make an impact and a difference in a small way. I think it’s important to build community in L.A. and the unhoused are our neighbors.”

Jarret Liotta is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer and photographer.