NEW YORK - Thousands of people hit the city's streets Monday night to conduct the annual Homeless Outreach Population Estimate, or HOPE survey.

Volunteers went block-by-block around the five boroughs, looking for people who are living on the streets.

They also canvased subways, parks, and other public spaces.

The HOPE survey gives the city a better idea of where to deploy outreach workers, and helps secure federal funding for homeless services.

It's a federally mandated survey that takes place in cities around the country every year. 

"A single night across the country as a point in time count and resources are determined based on that estimate," said Department of Homeless Services Commissioner Steven Banks.

Mayor Bill de Blasio was among those taking part in the count. He was joined by Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson, and the administrator for the New York HUD Office, Lynne Pattton.

"You can see what it means when someone doesn't have a home to go to and the need, the deep deep need so this is an immediate example of why this count is so important," De Blasio said.

New York has been taking part in the HOPE survey for the last 15 years.

Last year, the city saw a two percent drop in the number of homeless on the streets from 2018.

"Progress is being made, but it doesn't mean that there is a lot more that needs to be done but this is very encouraging," Carson said.

The Department of Homeless Services says in the last three years, the count has helped the city keep nearly 2,500 people off the streets.

The final results are expected some time in the spring.