By Ryan Ginard | SDUN Reporter

San Diego Regional Task Force on the Homeless statistics state there are currently 9,020 homeless people in San Diego County, an increase of 5.9 percent from the previous year. San Diego’s 6th Annual Project Homeless Connect, which takes place Jan. 11. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., offers help to the homeless community at the start of the new year.

Each year over 500 homeless people come to Golden Hall, adjacent to City Hall, to receive many essential services as well as advice to help improve their lives. The San Diego Housing Commission (SDHC), which hosts Project Homeless Connect, will provide health screenings, dental exams, haircuts and various counseling services for San Diego’s homeless families, veterans, seniors and disabled.

President and CEO of SDHC Rick Gentry said the 6th Annual event, “takes a team effort to address homelessness and homelessness issues…. We will need some 400 volunteers and 75 service providers to make Project Homeless Connect a success.”

Last year’s event brought in donated items such as pillows, sleeping bags, shoes and coats. Other items needed for donation include shoes and clothing, socks and mini toiletries, such as shampoos and toothpaste.

Donations can be dropped off at Golden Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 10 between 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., the day before the event.

Services needed for the event include legal aid, substance abuse recovery, child-care, hair cuts, housing and medical.

District 3 Councilmember Todd Gloria is the Chair of Keys to Housing, an initiative designed to end family homlessness by 2020. He said, “We’ve combined best practices from all over the country; we know these tools can work. Now it’s up to local leaders to implement the tools that will make the most difference moving San Diego’s families into sustainable housing options.”

For more information on the event or how to help visit sdhc.org.