The Maricopa Association of Governments is looking for volunteers to help count the number of people experiencing homelessness in the Phoenix area.
The point-in-time homelessness street count takes place in cities nationwide each January. Volunteers visit parks, alleyways and other areas where unsheltered people tend to sleep to try to get an accurate count of how many people in the region are homeless.
In Maricopa County, these counts have shown the unsheltered population has more than tripled since 2016. That data is critical for government agencies and charitable organizations that are trying to address the region’s growing homelessness crisis.
This year’s count will take place on Jan. 24 starting at 6 a.m. Those interested in volunteering can contact coordinators through the MAG website.
