The Homeless Point in Time (PIT) Count has been moved to Thursday, Feb. 24, the City announced yesterday.
The move comes due to increased transmission and a surge in COVID-19 cases in Long Beach.
The Point in Time Count is the health department’s street count of people experiencing homelessness in Long Beach and is essential in determining the scope of homelessness, delineating existing resources and identifying gaps in service.
According to a statement from the City, the Health Department applied for an extension to diminish the risk to volunteers and those being surveyed, which was approved.
About 50 volunteer spaces for the count are available, the City said. Those who want to volunteer can register online, by emailing HomelessServices@longbeach.gov or by calling the Multi-Service Center at 1-562-570-4499.
A waitlist will be established if more than 250 volunteers sign up for the count.
The volunteer staging location for the PIT Count will now be at The Grand Long Beach, located at 4101 E Willow St. to increase physical distancing.
Volunteers will meet at the Willow Street location on the morning of Feb. 24 and will be dispatched at 5 a.m. Proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before the event will be required for all.
Long Beach has seen a steep increase in COVID-19 cases, the City said in a statement. On Jan. 5, 1,874 cases were reported—the highest number of cases in a single day since the start of the pandemic. The positivity rate is currently 28.6%, according to the City.
Hospitalizations have also increased, with resident hospitalizations up from 47 on Dec. 20 to 85 on Monday, Jan. 10. Area hospitalizations increased from 51 on Dec. 20 to 271 on Sunday, Jan. 9.
For more information, visit the City’s Homeless Count webpage.
