San Mateo County is looking for volunteers to help with next year’s Point-in-Time count, which is a census of sorts of all the people in the county who are homeless.  

The county’s Human Services Agency will work in partnership with local community organizations to carry out the 2026 One Day Homeless Count on Jan. 29. The annual count is required by federal law and data collected gives county leaders a good snapshot of how many individuals and families are experiencing homelessness. The numbers can be compared to previous years to see how the issue is fluctuating and helps determine where funds can best be spent.  

“Community volunteers are essential to the success of this effort,” said Claire Cunningham, director of the Human Services Agency, in a statement released by the county. “Each volunteer helps ensure we have an accurate picture of homelessness in our county so we can better direct resources where they are needed most.” 

Volunteers begin the day at 5 a.m., but are provided with breakfast and coffee. The count ends around 10 a.m. and participants use a mobile app for the count. A free training is required.  

The county is looking for people from all sorts of backgrounds and who may be familiar with certain neighborhoods. A passion for supporting efforts to end homelessness is a plus too, the county said. Accommodations are available for volunteers with limited mobility, transportation or technology issues.  

To register, visit the county’s volunteer sign-up page and follow the instructions. For more information, email HSA_OneDayCount@smcgov.org.

Katy St. Clair got her start in journalism by working in the classifieds department at the East Bay Express during the height of alt weeklies, then sweet talked her way into becoming staff writer, submissions editor, and music editor. She has been a columnist in the East Bay Express, SF Weekly, and the San Francisco Examiner. Starting in 2015, she begrudgingly scaled the inverted pyramid at dailies such as the Vallejo Times-Herald, The Vacaville Reporter, and the Daily Republic. She has her own independent news site and blog that covers the delightfully dysfunctional town of Vallejo, California, where she also collaborates with the investigative team at Open Vallejo. A passionate advocate for people with developmental disabilities, she serves on both the Board of the Arc of Solano and the Arc of California. She lives in Vallejo.