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Group Begins 3-Day Survey Of Homeless Population In Silver Lake

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — A nonprofit group Saturday is scheduled to begin a three-day survey of the homeless population in Silver Lake with the goal of getting the most vulnerable off the streets and into homes.

Volunteers with People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) were expected to begin walking 14 geographic areas about 5:30 a.m. to locate and tally people suspected of being homeless.

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KNX 1070's Ed Mertz Talks With PATH Volunteers

By offering a survey, the group hopes to collect detailed information about the homeless, including their names, medical conditions and where they typically stay on the streets. Volunteers will offer people hygiene kits or gift cards for food in exchange.

The group will compile the survey results into a database and try to identify the most vulnerable or those at risk of dying on the streets and get them into stable housing situations.

"We have helped thousands of people throughout Southern California over the years, but it is especially meaningful for us to come home and focus on those in our own neighborhood here in Silver Lake," People Assisting the Homeless Chief Executive Officer Joel John Roberts said. "I'm proud to say that we have enjoyed tremendous support from the community in this important effort."

The group says more than 150 volunteers, including Councilmen Eric Garcetti and Tom LaBonge, are scheduled to participate in the count.

People Assisting the Homeless has conducted similar surveys in downtown Long Beach, Hollywood, Bellflower and Whittier.

(©2011 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)

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