Volunteers needed for Southern Nevada homeless count

Volunteers are needed to help conduct the 2016 Southern Nevada Homeless Census.

They will help with the overnight count beginning at 11:30 p.m. on Jan. 26 and ending at 6 a.m. on Jan. 27.

Volunteers also are needed to help with the youth count from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 27.

"The homeless census is very important for our community," said Clark County Department of Social Service Director Tim Burch. "This count shows us the magnitude of the challenge we face in our efforts to eliminate homelessness in Southern Nevada. The count is also required by federal grant programs that support housing, job training and other critical programs that get the homeless off the streets and headed in the right direction."

Those interested in volunteering can register online at www.helphopehome.org/get_involved_volunteer.html.

Volunteers will also be asked to attend one of three training sessions from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., noon to 1 p.m. or 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. on Jan. 21 at the Clark County Commission chambers, 500 S. Grand Central Pkwy.

The 2015 homeless count released in the spring found that 7,509 people were staying in shelters or on the streets. It also estimated that more than 34,000 people experience homelessness throughout the year in Southern Nevada.

Contact Yesenia Amaro at yamaro@reviewjorunal.com or 702-477-3843. Find her on Twitter:@YeseniaAmaro