Homelessness is an adjective, not a noun. It describes a current situation someone is experiencing but does not describe the whole person. It also indicates that we can change that descriptor. Without a permanent residence, it’s nearly impossible to get and keep a job.

Fast Facts

• Family Homelessness represents more than a third of the homeless population nationwide
• Orange County’s homeless population is proportionally similar to the national homeless population in terms of household type: 31% of homeless people are in family households. (2015 PIT Count)
• A majority of individuals that experience homelessness are only homeless once in their lifetime.
• The 2015 annual estimate for the unduplicated number of homeless individuals in Orange County was 15,291 individuals and families 

What is the Point-In-Time Count?

The Point-in-Time (PIT) Count is a biennial tally of people without a home on a particular night. The results of the PIT count shape the county’s approach to ending homelessness. The PIT consists of 3 components:

1. Counting unsheltered homeless
2. Interviewing unsheltered homeless,
3. Counting sheltered homeless

Why does it Matter?

Orange County, CA receives over $20 million in HUD funding to provide services for homeless individual and families; in order to continue receiving the funds Orange County must provide the Point-In- Time information every two years. The information is also used by elected officials, non-profit organizations and private funders to help guide the provision of services for homeless individuals and families.

Here’s how you can be part of this bi-annual community project:

Count: We need 1,000 volunteers to count and survey homeless individuals on Saturday, January 28, 2017 from 4:30 am to 9:00 am. There are three training dates/times available. Sign up to a training date that works for you.

Collect: After completing the survey, participants will be offered a care package as a way to say thank you for their time. Because of this, we are collecting all items needed for a care package by Friday, December 2, 2016.  We need over 800 of the following items:

• Beanies/knitted cap
• AA and AAA Batteries – bundles of 4
• Rain ponchos
• Ziploc bags

Please drop off the items to Orange County United Way located at 18012 Mitchell South, Irvine. The drop-off box is available in the lobby during business hours from 9am to 5pm.

If you can’t make it to the store to purchase items for the care package, you can donate $15 for 1 package.

Collate:  We will assemble the care packages on Friday, December 9, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. We need 15-20 volunteers to join us for coffee and collation as we assemble the care packages.

Special Thanks to our Days of Caring sponsor Wells Fargo for championing our cause and galvanizing volunteers and supporters throughout the year.