Funding for homeless programs depends on the results of the count.

"It's pretty amazing to have a conversation with someone you never knew existed," she said.

Brown is encouraging people to volunteer with the Homeless Count planned for later this month. She volunteered last year and said it shattered the stereotypes about being homeless.

She shared a personal experience.

"To be invited to dinner by a homeless person, who's caretaking for a sick person—it’s just very touching," Brown said.

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Last year's count found more than 2,600 people living on the streets. Add on those staying in shelters and you get 4,000 people who are homeless in Travis County on any given night.

Will Goetz has been homeless for about a year. He said being counted is the first step to getting help.

"Somebody caring enough to say how many of you are out there, and maybe we can get funding to help you get off the streets, to me that means something," Goetz said.

Will Goetz has been homeless for about a year.

According to city officials, Goetz is right. Funding for shelters, housing and other programs directly depends on the results of the count.

"The foundation of all of that work is to understand the size of our homeless population and the needs of our homeless population," Austin City Council Member Laura Morrison said.

The homeless count takes place Thursday. First-time volunteers will have to attend a training session. For more information, visit TravisCountyHomelessCount.org.