New York is the only city in the country where every person has a right to shelter. Still, in 2006 there were more than 3,500 people sleeping outside every night. The Department of Homeless Services has an action plan to address homelessness that is one of the most progressive in the country. One of the ways of measuring its success comes from an annual one-night volunteer event: HOPE, the Homeless Outreach Population Estimate, where more than 2000 volunteers walk the city recording individuals they find in New York City’s streets and parks. The HOPE count from 2006 showed that since the first survey in 2005, the number of people living on the streets had declined by thirteen percent.

The evening begins with a training session, and then teams of volunteers hit the streets. Teams following specified routes, sometimes with police escorts. People are encouraged to volunteer in groups, and the HOPE organizers make every effort to assign people to their preferred neighborhood.

This year’s HOPE event takes place on Monday January 29th, from 10:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. (many teams finish by 2 a.m.)
Volunteer for the 2007 HOPE survey on the program website.