In just under two weeks, a powerful wave of community compassion will sweep across Los Angeles as thousands of volunteers unite for a meaningful cause. The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) is inviting caring residents of Boyle Heights to join the 2026 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, a three-day initiative scheduled for January 20-22 that directly helps vulnerable neighbors receive vital services.

This annual gathering represents democracy and community care in action. Volunteers will deploy from Dolores Mission Church at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20, embarking on an important mission to visually count people, tents, shelters, and vehicles across the neighborhood. Their dedication spans an impressive 4,000 square miles of Los Angeles County, including Boyle Heights and East LA.

What makes this count so remarkable is its direct impact on real lives. The data collected helps shape how federal funding and resources flow to those who need them most. Required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, this effort ensures that services reach the right communities at the right time. Los Angeles goes above and beyond by conducting this count annually rather than biennially, demonstrating the city's commitment to staying responsive to community needs.

As of Thursday, LAHSA had already recruited 1,986 passionate volunteers, reaching 45 percent of its goal. The organization warmly welcomes over 2,400 more volunteers as the count approaches, offering everyone a chance to make a tangible difference.

The Ripple Effect

The impact of volunteer participation extends far beyond a single night of counting. Each volunteer contribution helps create a clearer picture of how the community can better support its most vulnerable members. The 2025 count revealed important shifts in the homelessness landscape, with the city of LA seeing a 3.4% decrease in homelessness, showing that coordinated efforts and proper resource allocation truly work.

The count goes beyond simple numbers. It includes compassionate survey-based outreach to unsheltered youth and young families, alongside data from shelters and transitional housing. These comprehensive efforts ensure no one is overlooked, and every person's story contributes to creating better solutions.

Results from the count, released in late spring or early summer, directly inform policy decisions and funding allocations, turning volunteer hours into lasting positive change for thousands of Angelenos.

Getting involved is simple and rewarding. Those interested can register through the LAHSA website or volunteer portal. Boyle Heights is seeking 27 volunteers deploying from Dolores Mission Church at 171 S. Gless St., while East LA welcomes 7 more volunteers at Centro Maravilla Service Center, 4716 E. Cesar E. Chavez Ave.

This is community building at its finest: neighbors helping neighbors, data driving compassion, and volunteers creating pathways to hope. Every person who steps up for those three January nights becomes part of a solution that touches thousands of lives across Los Angeles County.