The city of Mesa is looking for volunteers to participate in the Maricopa Association of Governments 2022 point-in-time homeless street count 5 a.m.-noon Tuesday, Jan. 25.

Volunteers will meet at Salvation Army Building 3, 241 E. Sixth St. in Mesa, for an orientation at 5 a.m. before getting assigned to their project locations at 5:30 a.m., according to a release.

The one-day count to determine the number of people experiencing homelessness in Maricopa County helps local communicates better meet their needs. The count includes a brief survey to identify some of the characteristics of people experiencing homelessness in our community.

Cities, such as Mesa, that receive federal funding for homeless assistance from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development are required to conduct an annual comprehensive count. This helps local governments and nonprofit organizations more effectively allocate resources necessary to meet the needs of the homeless population, the release states.

Volunteers must be 18 or older. They will be deployed in groups of three or four, including an officer or someone who has participated in the count before, to count and interview homeless individuals and their families in various parts of Mesa. No prior experience is needed. Volunteers will participate in a virtual training session 5:30-6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 19.

Volunteers will be supplied with water, coffee and a light breakfast when they arrive for the event. To register, go to mesaaz.gov/PITCount.