A homeless man sleeps under a blue blanket in downtown Santa Monica. Thousands of volunteers took part in the effort to count the homeless throughout the county, an effort that takes place every two years.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=80297

0

Volunteers Mackenzie Carter, from right, Cheryl Bagby, Debbie Lee, Laura Borsecnik and Chris Brown walk the streets of Santa Monica in an effort to count the homeless in the area.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=80298

1

Volunteers Mackenzie Carter, left, Debbie Lee and Chris Brown walk past a homeless woman in downtown Santa Monica in an effort to count the homeless in the area.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=80299

2

Tamra Foggy, 32, tries to stay warm on the Third Street Promenade in downtown Santa Monica. Foggy, who says she's been homeless for two years, is one of the those counted by volunteers in Santa Monica.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=80300

3

Volunteers Cheryl Bagby, left, Mackenzie Carter and others walk the streets of Santa Monica to count the homeless in the area.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=80301

4

A homeless man walks with his belongings in downtown Santa Monica as hundreds of volunteers took part in the effort to count the homeless there.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=80302

5

Volunteer Chris Brown keeps an eye out for the homeless at the foot of the Santa Monica Pier.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=80303

6

Volunteers Laura Borsecnik, from left in background, Mackenzie Carter, Chris Brown and Cheryl Bagby walk past a sleeping homeless man on the Third Street Promenade as part of an effort to count the homeless in the area.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=80304

7

The largest count of homeless individuals and families in the United States happened across Los Angeles County, where thousands of volunteers, including elected officials, were mobilized to determine the extent of homelessness in the region.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=80305

8

Diane Muldonado, 58, who has been homeless for 16 years, tries to stay warm while waiting for a bus in downtown Santa Monica.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=80306

9

This week, thousands of volunteers fanned out across 4,000 square miles and pounded pavement at night. Bundled in jackets, and armed with clipboards, their task was an ambitious one: Count Los Angeles County's homeless population one person, one street at a time.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=80307

10

A homeless couple huddle for warmth as they sleep alongside the Santa Monica Pier. They were among those counted in Santa Monica.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=80308

11

A homeless person sits on a bench near the Santa Monica Pier as hundreds of volunteers took part in the effort to count the homeless in the area.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

http://framework.latimes.com/?attachment_id=80309

12