San Bernardino County is seeking volunteers to help with the annual Point-in-Time Count of unsheltered individuals.
The Point-in-Time Count (PITC) will take place on Jan. 22, 2026, with gathered data used to determine how federal funds are distributed.
The count will provide a snapshot of the county’s homeless population, which helps officials track progress toward reducing homelessness and ensure resources are being directed to the communities with the greatest need.
The count is a collaboration between the San Bernardino County Office of Homeless Services and the San Bernardino County Homeless Partnership.
Volunteers
During the PITC, volunteers will canvass cities, towns and unincorporated communities to count, survey and assist individuals whose primary nighttime residence is in a vehicle, park, abandoned building, transit center, riverbed or other unsheltered location.
The information collected from the survey will be shared with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“Volunteers are essential to the success of the PITC,” Homeless Services Chief Marcus Dillard said. “Your participation helps the county capture a snapshot of homelessness and address the needs of the unhoused community.”
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and have an Android or iOS smartphone to conduct the survey using a web-based app.
Participants will be organized into groups and assigned to specific areas of the county. Walking will be involved, and personal transportation is required. Training will be available in person and virtually to ensure everyone is prepared, organizers said.
Show me the data
Last year’s PITC reported that 3,821 individuals were experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness in San Bernardino County.
The latest San Bernardino County Point-in-Time Count revealed the top jurisdictions with the largest number of persons counted as homeless, which include:
The 2025 data played a significant role in guiding the county’s homeless outreach efforts and funding priorities.
Making investments
This year, the county made a significant investment in addressing homelessness by starting construction on the expansion of the Pacific Village housing campus, which will include 58 permanent supportive housing units, 32 recuperative care beds and 32 substance abuse treatment beds.
The county also purchased two motels, which, upon conversion, will provide 50 permanent supportive housing units for encampment residents and 130 beds of interim housing for homeless patients who are transitioning out of medical care.
“The county’s investment in affordable housing and expanding shelter capacity is making a difference, but our work is far from over,” Dillard said. “PITC volunteers play a vital role in collecting information the county needs to secure funding and continue investing in affordable housing and expanding shelter capacity. We highly encourage community members and organizations to participate in the count.”
To register as a volunteer, please visit the volunteer registration page. For any questions related to the PITC, call 909-501-0610 or email OHS@hss.sbcounty.gov.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Volunteers sought for San Bernardino County’s annual homeless count
Reporting by Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
