Torrance volunteer reports 33 vehicles, one person in Del Amo area during Greater LA homeless count

Christine, a volunteer with Torrance City, said volunteers documenting the Greater Los Angeles homeless count found 33 vehicles and one person in the Del Amo Shopping Center area and transmitted the information to county authorities.

The volunteer said teams worked in pairs, using an app and map to log possible encampments and instances of vehicle homelessness, which can include recreational vehicles or cars where people are sleeping. “We pair you with an app and a map,” Christine said. “Typically, we have individuals go out in pairs.”

Why it matters: the data were sent to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) and Los Angeles County, and will be used to advocate for funding and resources for Torrance’s homeless outreach efforts, Christine said. “Information will be transmitted to LA County, LAHSA. And based on that information, we will continue to advocate for funding and resources to support our Torrance Homeless outreach efforts,” she said.

Christine described the area assigned to her team as roughly around Del Amo Shopping Center, from Anza to Madrona up to Del Amo, and said volunteers checked bus stops, vehicles and spaces behind buildings for signs someone was sleeping there. She identified “Irene” as one of Torrance’s homeless outreach coordinators. “Everybody deserves a second chance,” Christine said. “...I just wanna be able to give back to those people and be able to get them in a secure and permanent housing.”

The volunteer called the count a “very valuable effort” and thanked participants, noting the information will support ongoing outreach and requests for resources. The account described here is from a Torrance City volunteer report to local officials and reflects the on-the-ground observations and the transmission of that data to LA County and LAHSA.