UCLA Volunteers Lead Westwood Homeless Count to Address Local Needs

More than 160 volunteers, including a significant number of students, faculty, and staff from UCLA, participated in the Westwood Homeless Count on the evening of January 22, 2026. This annual initiative aims to accurately assess the number of unhoused individuals in the Westwood area. The count is pivotal for informing local policy and allocating government funds for homeless services across Los Angeles County, which has an estimated 72,300 unhoused individuals, the highest count in the United States.

The event commenced at the Westwood Presbyterian Church, where volunteers gathered for food and refreshments donated by local businesses. Felicia Marie Knaul, an associate of the chancellor and a distinguished professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine, highlighted the significance of the count. “We do this to ensure that those who are invisible are visible… and to make sure that we are answering the needs of this community,” she stated, marking her second participation in the count.

Community and government leaders joined the efforts, including County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and representatives from the offices of Mayor Karen Bass and City Council member Katy Yaroslavsky. Horvath underscored UCLA’s essential role in local initiatives, saying, “We would not be able to do tonight without UCLA. It really makes a difference to have UCLA so invested in issues throughout our region.”

The volunteers dispersed in small groups, equipped with census tract maps and digital applications to conduct the count. Their efforts included searching for individuals living outdoors, in vehicles, and in shelters, continuing until approximately 01:00. Faculty member Randall Kuhn, from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, emphasized the broader importance of the count. “The point-in-time homeless count is happening in every continuum of care across the United States this week,” he noted. “It is crucial for Los Angeles, where over 5,000 Angelenos come together to show their concern and support.”

Knaul reflected on the community spirit that emerged in response to past crises, such as the wildfires in 2025. She expressed gratitude for the dedication of volunteers, stating, “It’s a blessing to have you doing this. It’s a blessing that you’re dedicated to doing this, but it’s a blessing for me and for all of us who work at UCLA and are part of this community to be inspired by you.”

The data collected during the 2026 Westwood Homeless Count is being overseen by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, the region’s lead agency on homelessness. The results are anticipated to be released in late spring or early summer, providing critical insights into the ongoing challenges of homelessness in Los Angeles and shaping future community efforts.