EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. — El Dorado County officials are calling on residents to volunteer for the 2026 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, a federally required, one-day census of people experiencing homelessness that helps determine future resources and funding for local services.
The count is scheduled for the morning of Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m., and will take place across the county’s Western Slope and the South Lake Tahoe Basin, according to the county’s Housing and Homelessness Team.
Mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the PIT Count is conducted nationwide every two years to measure the number of sheltered and unsheltered individuals experiencing homelessness on a single night. The data is used by local, state and federal agencies to assess needs, track trends and allocate funding.
“We need community participation to make sure we’re getting the most accurate picture possible,” the county’s Housing and Homelessness Team said in a public call for volunteers. “The information gathered directly affects our ability to advocate for resources and funding to address homelessness in El Dorado County.”
No prior experience is required to participate. Volunteers will receive training and will work in pairs or small groups to conduct real-time surveys with individuals experiencing homelessness. County officials say the approach helps ensure safety, accuracy and respectful engagement.
Residents interested in volunteering or learning more can sign up online at eldorado.pointintime.info. Questions can be directed to the county’s Housing and Homelessness Team at homeless.services@edcgov.us.
Local leaders emphasize that while the count lasts only a few hours, its impact extends well beyond a single day.
“This is one of the most important tools we have to understand homelessness locally,” the county stated. “Accurate data strengthens our case for funding and helps shape programs that respond to real needs in our communities.”
