The County of Ventura is looking for volunteers to help complete the 2013 Homeless Count, set to take place Tues., Jan. 29.

The count is a requirement for every community that receives federal funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This money is critical in the effort to end homelessness and accounts for almost $3 million annually to support homeless individuals and families in Ventura County.

On Jan. 29, volunteers will work in teams to tally the homeless in the county’s 10 cities. The survey begins at 6 a.m. and lasts until 9 p.m., but counters are in the field in the early morning, during the day, and in the evening for just a couple of hours in each time period.

Because the count covers such a great area and spans so many hours, nearly 400 volunteers are needed countywide. There are still a large number of slots to be filled.

Counters must be at least 18 years old and are needed in Simi Valley, Moorpark, Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, Oxnard/Port Hueneme, Ventura, Fillmore/Piru, Santa Paula and Ojai.

Volunteers will receive training in recording the count. Sessions last about an hour, depending on questions. Key elements of training are the same in each of seven workshop choices, so volunteers for any city may go to the training location that suits their schedule.

Two opportunities are planned in Simi Valley, both at the Samaritan Center, 280 Royal Ave. The first is set for 2 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 17 and the second workshop will be at 11:30 a.m. Fri., Jan. 25.

One workshop is planned in Thousand Oaks at 6 p.m. Wed., Jan. 23 at Shadow Hills Apartments Community Room, 227 E. Wilbur Road.

Training sessions will also take place in Oxnard, Ventura and Santa Paula.

For more information or to register, go to vcunitedway.org and click on Volunteer.