Pastor Wes Ellis of FCC joins volunteers in

Homeless count happens at San Diego County. (photo by Ralphie H. on flickr.com)

Last Feb. 24, volunteers for the Point in Time homeless census assembled at the First Congregational Church of Ramona. Pastor Wes Ellis was among the volunteers and hosted them before and after the event.

Pastor Ellis, Homeless at Ramona

As reported on the Ramona Sentinel, 2022 was the first time Wes Ellis, pastor of the First Congregational Church of Ramona, joined the Regional Task Force on Homelessness San Diego.

The Task Force conducted the Point in Time Homeless census event with the volunteers. The church also hosted the volunteers before and after the census.

As shared in the report, Pastor Wes Ellis believed the number of homeless recorded was much lower than the actual number living in Ramona. The pastor cited rain and extreme weather as factors contributing to a lower count.

According to the pastor, meeting the homeless was a good experience. They found many people, and it does not always happen.

That Thursday morning before dawn, volunteers, and members of the Regional Task Force on Homeless headed to the damp Ramona riverbed. They searched for members of the local homeless population.

According to John Stevenson, this year’s count leader for Ramona, the homeless count determines the allocation. Stevenson said Ramona will always have a smaller homeless count or population than bigger cities.

However, if they can show that the homeless population exists in Ramona, they could get some resources to help. This effort to count the homeless population allows San Diego County to secure federal funds for housing, substance abuse, mental and physical health needs.

Stevenson also informed Ramona Sentinel that organizers told the town about the upcoming count through fliers. The volunteers also spread the news about the event.

The Point in Time homeless census took place from 4 a.m. to 8 a.m.

According to him, the total number of homeless may change, but they found 20 to 30 people. The total homeless population in the county won’t be released for another few months.

In 2020, the count listed 20 homeless in Ramona. However, the count was skipped in 2021 due to the Covid – 19 pandemic.

Homeless in San Diego

NBC7 News report shared the annual count of homeless in San Diego started on Thursday. Last February 24, the count recorded 901 people were living on the sidewalks or streets; 215 were living in their vehicle, and 158 lived in an encampment.

The initial results from the Annual Point in Time count of San Diego County’s homeless populations revealed an overwhelming 85 % homeless in San Diego. Initial data also showed that 21% of the homeless surveyed were female.

Moreover, the data also showed a significant increase in homeless over 55. According to the report, volunteers were on the streets at 4 a.m. talking to the homeless living under tarps and tents.

They offered socks and gift cards to McDonald’s and 7 – Eleven for those willing to participate. As of 7 a.m., volunteers have contacted almost 2,000 unsheltered people, as indicated on the online dashboard.

The volunteers partnered with the Downtown San Diego Partnership to cover East Village to Bankers Hill.