Gallery: Annual Westwood Homeless Count Unites Students, Local Community

Sign reading “Welcome to the 2026 Homeless Count” on an open door with people inside.
By Leydi Cris Cobo Cordon, Andrew Ramiro Diaz
2 min read

Students, university administrators and local residents gathered together for the annual Westwood Homeless Count on Thursday. The volunteer-based event is part of the 2026 Los Angeles Homeless Count, which creates a snapshot of the area’s homeless population to inform future resource distribution. After weaving through their assigned blocks, attendees returned to the Westwood Presbyterian Church after midnight.

Felicia Knaul laughing

Felicia Marie Knaul, a distinguished professor of medicine, laughs as she is introduced by Westwood Community Council Chair Steve Sann.

During her speech, Knaul spoke on the impact of those who go uncounted.

“It is easy to forget them when we think about services, and it's impossible to do services properly, even if you do not want to forget them,” said Knaul, the associate of the chancellor.

A volunteer holds a Census Sub Tract Map

A volunteer holds a Census Sub Tract Map, which is used to show areas of coverage.

UCLA volunteers raising their hands

UCLA students in attendance raise their hands.

“A lot of these kids have class tomorrow morning at eight o’clock, and they still came out here,” Westwood Neighborhood Council member Philip Gabriel said. “That’s incredible to me.”

Knaul gesturing from a podium

Knaul gestures from a podium.

Michael J. Beck watches the opening program from the entrance of Hoffman Hall.

Administrative Vice Chancellor Michael J. Beck watches the opening program from the entrance of Hoffman Hall.

Knaul shaking hands with a UCLA student

Undergraduate Students Association Council President Diego Emilio Bollo shakes hands with Knaul.

The fourth-year political science and labor studies student returned from the count after midnight.

Volunteers equipped with reflective safety vests pose together

Volunteers equipped with reflective safety vests pose for a picture outside the Westwood Presbyterian Church.

Jennifer Poulakidas maps out a route with the other volunteers

Associate Vice Chancellor Jennifer Poulakidas maps out a route with the other volunteers.

Volunteers entering a parking garage

Nima Khazani (left) and Hattie Bradshaw (right) enter a parking garage with their group.

Bradshaw, a second-year pre-public health student, said she felt inspired during the event.

“It feels like there's so many things going wrong in the world and that no one cares, but there's a huge group of people who care so much about people getting to live better lives,” she said.

Alumnus Kia Khazani descends a stairwell

Alumnus Kia Khazani descends a stairwell.

His group included his brother and fellow alumnus Nima Khazani.

“Any student engagement with the community, especially the Westwood Village community, ... is only going to do good,” Nima Khazani said.

Kia Khazani returns to his group after scouring a rooftop

Kia Khazani returns to his group after scouring a rooftop.

Volunteers outside of a westwood parking lot

Poulakidas reunites with Kia and Nima Khazani, who operate Duffl’s Westwood location.

Nima Khazani said he joined the count after “a very persuasive set of meetings, phone calls, follow-up emails and texts from Steve Sann.”

Nima Khazani waits for Poulakidas on a rooftop lot

Nima Khazani waits for Poulakidas on a rooftop lot near the Westwood Village Theater.

He said his group’s final tally for the night was 19 people and one tent

Chapman signs a “Certificate of Appreciation”

Chapman signs a “Certificate of Appreciation” as groups return from the count.

A volunteer returns his supplies alongside other volunteers.

Beck returns his supplies alongside other volunteers.

Original Article from The Daily Bruin: Gallery: Annual Westwood Homeless Count unites students, local community