Elsinore, Wildomar Homeless Population Count: Volunteers Needed

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — County officials are now recruiting individuals from Lake Elsinore, Wildomar and beyond to help with the annual "point in time," or PIT, homeless survey. The two-component count takes place at the same time in all Riverside County cities on Jan. 23.

In 2017, 1,638 unsheltered and 768 sheltered homeless people were found to be living in the county, for a total of 2,406, according to PIT organizers. That was an increase of 11 percent from 2016.

Last year, 62 unsheltered homeless were counted in Lake Elsinore, while there were 6 in Wildomar, data shows.

The Riverside County Department of Public Social Services says they'll need up to 500 volunteers for a successful 2018 count, which is required to be done by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

"Volunteer recruitment is encouraged among neighborhood and non-profit organizations, college students, faith-based institutions, community service clubs, and social service providers," a news release announcing the event states. "Important data will be collected on the general homeless population and subpopulations of homeless Veterans, families, youth and chronically homeless individuals."

For the Jan. 23 event, the first component will be a "street-based count" near city streets and parks from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The second part, a "service-based count" at the shelters, will take place from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Organizations or individuals may register to help online at: www.RiversideHomelessCounts.com. Questions may be directed to Donyielle Holley, Riverside County Point-In-Time coordinator (951) 358-3844 or at RivCoPIT@RivCo.org .

--

— Patch file photo by Renee Schiavone