Volunteers needed for San Bernardino County’s annual homeless count

A person in a high-visibility vest helps a seated person with a dog look at a phone as another person in a vest holds backpacks. — *Volunteers participate in the annual Point-in-Time Count.*

San Bernardino County is seeking volunteers to participate in the annual Point-in-Time Count on Jan. 28, 2027.

Each year, the San Bernardino County Office of Homeless Services and the San Bernardino County Homeless Partnership collaborate to conduct the annual count, which provides a snapshot of the county’s homeless population. The information helps officials track progress, identify community needs and ensure resources are directed where they are most needed.

The 2026 Point-in-Time Count identified 3,718 sheltered and unsheltered homeless individuals, which represents a 3.1 percent decrease from the previous year. Among those counted, 2,448 individuals were unsheltered and 1,270 were sheltered. Unsheltered homelessness decreased by 188 individuals, or 7.1 percent, from last year.

The county continues to invest in expanding housing and supportive services for individuals experiencing homelessness. A ribbon cutting ceremony was recently held to celebrate the expansion of Highland Creek, formerly known as Pacific Village, which will include 58 permanent supportive housing units, 32 recuperative care beds and 32 substance use treatment beds once all phases are complete.

Additionally, San Bernardino County, in partnership with the cities of Chino, Fontana, Montclair, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Rialto and Upland, held a ceremonial groundbreaking in April 2026 for the West End Regional Navigation Center, which will provide 100 shelter beds and 100 recuperative care beds along with supportive services to help the unhoused community transition to permanent housing.

“Understanding the extent of homelessness is essential to developing effective solutions and identifying where additional housing and supportive services are needed,” said Homeless Services Chief Marcus Dillard. “Volunteers play an important role in the success of the annual count by gathering information that will support future planning, investments and efforts to address homelessness.”

During the count, volunteers will canvass cities, towns and unincorporated communities to count and survey individuals whose primary nighttime residence is a vehicle, park, abandoned building, transit center, riverbed or other unsheltered location.

The county will continue using its web-based survey app and StoryMap to help prepare volunteers for the annual count and support them in the field. This year, additional resources will be available to help volunteers prepare, including a self-paced online training module and virtual office hours where participants can get support and answers to questions before the count.

Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and have a smartphone to complete surveys using the web-based app. Participants will be organized into teams and assigned to specific areas in the county. The count involves walking and volunteers must provide their own transportation.

The deadline to register as a volunteer is Jan. 22, 2027. Please visit the volunteer registration page to sign up. For any questions related to the Point-in-Time Count, please call 909-501-0610 or email OHS@hss.sbcounty.gov.

Additional County Update News – November 12, 2026