The Regional Task Force on the Homeless (RTFH) is seeking 1,600 volunteers to survey unsheltered homeless individuals throughout San Diego County on Friday, Jan. 29 between 4:00 a.m. – 7:00 a. m. Volunteers can register at www.rtfh.volunteerhub.com. All training and materials will be provided on site. WeAllCount, also known as the Point-in-Time Count, is the region's annual census conducted to determine the number and location of homeless persons throughout San Diego County and assess the characteristics of those individuals and families. The count enables regional government agencies and service providers to secure additional funding for programs that will effectively address homelessness in Downtown and throughout the region.

In 2015, there were 8,742 sheltered and unsheltered homeless people in San Diego County, an increase of 2.8 percent from the prior year. In Downtown San Diego alone, there were an estimated 833 unsheltered and sheltered homeless individuals, and an increase of 25 percent from 2014 to 2015. Nearly 28 percent of all San Diegans who live on the street suffer from addiction, and one-fifth reported a severe mental illness.

Dolores Diaz, executive director of the Regional Task Force on the Homeless, said, 'Eliminating homelessness in our community requires a complex understanding of our homeless population and factors that led to them being where they are. We are committed to accurately counting the homeless in our region, which requires the help of many generous local volunteers.'

'WeAllCount ensures we have the funds and the programs necessary to help homeless individuals in Downtown and throughout San Diego County get off the street and connected to housing and services,' said Kris Michell, president and CEO of the Downtown San Diego Partnership.

The RTFH is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that supports, empowers, and collaborates with San Diego County's homeless service providers on a myriad of issues. The organization's purpose is to help prevent, alleviate, and work towards ending homelessness. The RTFH is the data center and technical resource for information on homelessness throughout San Diego County. It administers the region's Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), used by service providers who manage hundreds of distinct programs. Data gathered enables RTFH to provide analysis of demographics, trends, and more. Services include training, help desk, and critical data reports to service providers, cities, the County of San Diego, elected officials, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the U.S. Congress.

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