Riverside County and the City of Lake Elsinore is looking for volunteers for Riverside County's 2023 Homeless Point-In-Time (PIT) Count and the Youth Point-In-Time (PIT) Count.
The Homeless Point-in-Time Count reflects a snapshot of Riverside County’s homeless population. Obtaining an accurate count of people experiencing homelessness is critical to helping our communities attract the state and federal funding needed to address a growing public health crisis. Homelessness impacts families, individuals, and communities across Riverside County, and it is an issue that can best be addressed by working together.
Lake Elsinore's 2023 Homeless Point-in-Time Count
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
5:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Lake Elsinore Cultural Center
183 N. Main Street
2023 Homeless PIT Count - Volunteer Flyer
Sign Up to Volunteer for the General Count
2023 Youth Homeless Point-in-Time Count
Wednesday, January 25, 2023 - Friday, January 27, 2023
2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
2023 Homeless Youth PIT Count - Volunteer Flyer
Sign Up to Volunteer for the Youth Count
The Count is an informal survey of all homeless individuals seen on the day of the count. Collecting homeless population data and tracking national and local progress guides the development of actionable strategies needed to end homelessness in Riverside County and the City of Lake Elsinore. Information gathered from the count is valuable because it demonstrates the need for federal and state funding and community services, and it informs the community about homelessness.
Volunteering for the Point-In-Time Count
The City is seeking approximately 40 volunteers to assist in this year's Point-in-Time Count. Anyone interested in becoming a homeless count volunteer is encouraged to participate. Volunteers will be assigned to a location after they have registered as a volunteer and completed the online volunteer training. Volunteers are encouraged to be fully vaccinated prior to participating in any count activity.
To ensure the best experience all volunteers are required to:
- Use their own smartphone or tablet device to access the survey
- Walk or stand up to 2 hours while canvassing their neighborhood
- Participate in an online volunteer training
- Be over the age of 18 or if 16-17 years old accompanied by an adult
- Adhere to safety precautions outlined in training
This year's survey will be conducted on mobile devices. All volunteers must attend a mandatory training session to learn how to operate the survey tool and to review safety procedures. Anyone is encouraged to participate and become a volunteer after attending an online training.
For high school students who are 16 to 17 years old, you must be accompanied by an adult. Both the student and adult need to register as a Point-in-Time Count volunteer.
Online Volunteer Training
Volunteer Training is available virtually and is required. It is available in the volunteer portal. Please be sure to attend and we thank you for your service and cooperation during these times.
For more information or questions regarding volunteering or donating to the Homeless PIT Count, please contact the Homeless Point-in-Time Count Coordinator at RivCoPIT@rivco.org or call the Point-in-Time Count Hotline at (951)-358-3844.
Donations for the Point-in-Time Count
Want to help, but unable to participate during the Count? Riverside County is also seeking donations. On the day of the PIT Count, the County distributes cold weather items and hygiene products to homeless individuals as an incentive for participating and donors are critical in providing these items.
Donors are encouraged to donate:
- Cold Weather Items
- Gift Cards
- Hygiene Products
History of the Point-In-Time Count in Lake Elsinore
The City of Lake Elsinore has actively participated in the count since 2017. We have seen a significant decline in our homeless population during this time, declining to 35 unhoused individuals and 40 housed individuals in 2022.
Point-in-Time Count Unsheltered Data throughout the years:
- 2022: 35 individuals
- 2021: Canceled Due to Covid
- 2020: 50 individuals
- 2019: 66 individuals
- 2018: 75 individuals
2022 Point-In-Time County Statistics for Lake Elsinore
Sub-population Statistics Based on Homeless Interviews Only
- 14 chronically homeless
- 1 veterans
- 13 suffer from substance abuse
- 10 with PTSD
- 8 with mental health conditions
- 3 physically disabled
- 1 developmentally disabled
- 8 with brain injuries
- 2 victims of domestic violence
- 2 had pets
- 9 newly homeless
- 4 seniors (+60)
Gender
Living Situation
- 13 on the streets
- 3 living in encampments
- 1 in abandoned buildings
- 2 living in their vehicle
- 1 living under bridge
Our homeless population decline would have not been accomplished without the collaborative effort of the Homeless Task Force of the Lake Elsinore Sheriff's Station (Problem Oriented Policing Team), City Staff, and our non-profit partner, Social Work Action Group (SWAG). Together we will keep working together to help end the cycle of homelessness in our community through our outreach efforts.
To view all Riverside County Point-In-Time Count Reports from 2019 - 2022, scroll to the bottom of this webpage: https://rivcohws.org/homeless-point-time-pit-count
