Volunteers sought for homeless count

Organizers of next week's large-scale homeless census are seeking hundreds of volunteers to help count Las Vegas Valley's homeless.

Volunteers will work in teams from 1 to 6 a.m. Thursday .

The point-in-time count, which takes place every other year, includes shelter and hospital numbers as well as people counted on the street and those identified as the "hidden homeless" -- those camping or "squatting" on private property.

The count is a key component of local applications for federal grant funds to help the homeless.

The count in 2009 found an average of 13,338 homeless people, up from 11,417 in 2007.

To volunteer, call 892-2300 or visit volunteercentersn.org.