2022 Homeless Point-in-Time Count Postponed to Feb. 23, Volunteers Needed

Due to Covid -19 outbreaks, the 2022 Homeless Point-in-Time Count has been rescheduled for February 23, 2022. Riverside County and the City of Lake Elsinore is looking for volunteers for Riverside County's 2022 Homeless Point-In-Time (PIT) Count and the Youth Point-In-Time (PIT) Count.

The Homeless Point-in-Time Count reflects a snapshot of Riverside County's homeless population. Obtaining an accurate count of people experiencing homelessness is critical to helping our communities attract the state and federal funding needed to address a growing public health crisis. Homelessness impacts families, individuals, and communities across Riverside County, and it is an issue that can best be addressed by working together.

Lake Elsinore's 2022 Homeless Point-in-Time Count
Thursday, February 23, 2022
5:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Lake Elsinore Cultural Center
183 N. Main Street

Sign Up to Volunteer for the Count

Deadline to Sign Up to Volunteer: February 14, 2022

The Youth Point-In-Time Count will be conducted February 23, 2022 through February 25, 2022. The Count is an informal survey of all homeless individuals seen on the day of the count. Collecting homeless population data and tracking national and local progress guides the development of actionable strategies needed to end homelessness in Riverside County and the City of Lake Elsinore. Information gathered from the count is valuable because it demonstrates the need for federal and state funding and community services, and it informs the community about homelessness.

Volunteering for the Point-In-Time Count

The City is seeking approximately 40 volunteers to assist in this year's Point-in-Time Count. Anyone interested in becoming a homeless count volunteer is encouraged to participate. Volunteers will be assigned to a location after they have registered as a volunteer and completed the online volunteer training. Volunteers are highly encouraged to be fully vaccinated or have a negative COVID test prior to participating in any count activity.

To ensure the best experience all volunteers are required to:

• Use their own smartphone or tablet device to access the survey
• Walk or stand up to 2 hours while canvassing their neighborhood
• Participate in an online volunteer training
• Be over the age of 18 or if 16-17 years old accompanied by an adult

This year's survey will be conducted on mobile devices. All volunteers must attend a mandatory training session to learn how to operate the survey tool and to review safety procedures. Anyone is encouraged to participate and become a volunteer after attending an online training.

For high school students who are 16 to 17 years old, you must be accompanied by an adult. Both the student and adult need to register as a Point-in-Time Count volunteer.

Donations for the Point-in-Time Count

Want to help, but unable to participate during the Count? Riverside County is also seeking donations. On the day of the PIT Count, the County distributes cold weather items and hygiene products to homeless individuals as an incentive for participating and donors are critical in providing these items.

Donors are encouraged to donate:

• Cash Donations
• Gift Cards
• New Items
• Hygiene Products

For more information or questions regarding volunteering or donating to the Homeless PIT Count, please refer to the flyers below or please feel free to contact Laura Gonzalez at [email protected].

2022 Homeless PIT Count - Volunteer Flyer

Individuals interested in participating in the Homeless Youth PIT count can register at the link found here .

For more information or questions regarding volunteering or donating to the Homeless Youth PIT Count, please feel free to contact [email protected] or refer to our flyer found below.

Homeless Youth PIT Count Flyer

2022 Homeless Point in Time Count Postponed Press Release.pdf

History of the Point-In-Time Count in Lake Elsinore

The City of Lake Elsinore has actively participated in the count since 2017. We have seen a significant decline in our homeless population during this time, declining to 50 individuals in 2020. Due to Covid-19, there was not a Point-In-Time Count in 2021 and we are eager to see what our new count is for 2021 based on the additional work we have been doing in our community including the opening of The Anchor.

Point-in-Time Count Data throughout the years:

• 2020: 50 individuals
• 2019: 66 individuals
• 2018: 75 individuals

2020 Point-In-Time County Statistics for Lake Elsinore

Sub-population Statistics Based on Homeless Interviews Only

• 21 chronically homeless
• 3 veterans
• 15 suffer from substance abuse
• 9 with PTSD
• 18 with mental health conditions
• 9 physically disabled
• 8 developmentally disabled
• 10 with brain injuries
• 4 victims of domestic violence
• 13 had pets
• 15 newly homeless
• 4 seniors (+60)

Gender

Living Situation

• 22 on the streets
• 10 living in encampments
• 3 living in wooded areas
• 3 in parks
• 1 living in their vehicle
• 1 living under bridge

Our homeless population decline would have not been accomplished without the collaborative effort of the Homeless Task Force of the Lake Elsinore Sheriff's Station (Problem Oriented Policing Team), City Staff, and the awesome work of our non-profit, the Social Work Action Group (SWAG). Together we will keep working together to help end the cycle of homelessness in our community through our outreach efforts.

To view all Riverside County 2020 Point-In-Time Count Reports go to rchi.cs.ucr.edu/CityBreakdown

Below are photos from the 2020 Point In Time Count

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