Volunteers Fan Out Across Contra Costa County to Count Homeless

Contra Costa County began its annual homeless count Thursday, and volunteers spread out looking for people like Jarrett Keesling, who is living in an encampment in Concord. They need to find out where he lives and what he needs.

"I need to get my license or see if I can get my license. Get an ID, that would be a definite start," Keesling said. "It's just transportation -- transportation would make things so much easier.

The Contra Costa Health Services Division of Health, Housing and Homeless Services, its community partners and volunteers began documenting hundreds of homeless people in the county -- both sheltered and unsheltered -- who need permanent housing.

CCHS reported during its 2016 count that approximately 3,500 people across the county identified as homeless. Data from the 2017 homeless survey, which wraps up Friday, will not be available for several weeks.

Contra Costa County's overall homeless population dropped in 2016, but there were some places where it increased, like in the far eastern suburbs.

"We do anticipate that the numbers will continue to be highest in east Contra Costa County. However, we have not made any predictions as to whether or not we'll see an overall increase in homelessness," said Lavonna Martin, Contra Costa County's homeless services chief.

The county has struggled to serve eastern Contra Costa as the population has quickly grown.

Many Bay Area counties are launching homeless surveys. San Francisco launched its count Thursday night and Alameda County will begin its census on Jan. 31.

Eric Kayne is an award-winning photojournalist who has worked for the Houston Chronicle, Dallas Morning News and Seattle Times. KQED's Devin Katayama contributed to this post.