Sacramento homeless count shows a 29% drop. But are the results ‘outstanding’ or ‘unbelievable’?
LA TimesSacramento officials were elated this week when the results of a biennial point-in-time count showed that the observed local homeless population had declined by a whopping 29% — the biggest decrease city and county leaders had seen in more than a decade. “There are still too many people who are homeless for us to declare victory, but maybe homelessness is not so intractable after all,” said Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg. “The 41% reduction in unsheltered homelessness is dramatic and affirms that the steady course we set seven years ago to address this state and national crisis is working.” “These results are truly outstanding and, undeniably, reflect Sacramento city and county ‘all in’ approach to addressing this crisis,” said Lisa Bates, chief executive of Sacramento Steps Forward, the nonprofit that administers the region’s continuum of care and coordinates the homeless count and the region’s homelessness response. Additionally, she said, city and county leaders increased homeless encampment clearing activity over the last two years, causing homeless people to distrust government officials and go deeper into hiding. “We went back to our national consultant, we were going every which way to see if there’s anything here from a methodology standpoint that would warrant us to be concerned, and that led us to look at other data in our system, and so it’s those things that led us to conclude that these numbers stand.” Trent Simmons, data analytics director for Sacramento Steps Forward, said Simtech Solutions was selected because it had conducted more than 300 point-in-time counts across the country.
History of this topic
Homelessness rises to a record level in America
Live Mint)
US sees record 18% increase in homelessness in 2024 as buying a house becomes more expensive
Firstpost
US homelessness surges 18% in 2024 as affordable housing crisis deepens
India Today
U.S. homelessness crisis surges to record levels alongside rising rents and immigration
The IndependentUS homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many people
Associated Press
Homelessness hit a record high in the US this year
CNN
U.S. homelessness up 18% as affordable housing remains out of reach for many people
LA Times
A radical reshaping of L.A. County’s homeless services system is proposed
LA Times
US is on track to set a new record for homeless people with over 650K living on the streets
The IndependentNumber of homeless residents in Los Angeles County decreases in annual count
Associated Press
Editorial: Drop in L.A.’s homeless population shows efforts to house people are paying off
LA Times
Homelessness down in Long Beach, up in Orange County, latest counts find
LA Times
Letters to the Editor: California doesn’t know if $20 billion spent on homelessness has worked. Who gets fired?
LA Times
How effective are California's homelessness programs? State hasn't been tracking
The IndependentHow effective are California’s homelessness programs? Audit finds state hasn’t been keeping track
Associated Press
California spent billions on homelessness without tracking if it worked
LA Times
Opinion: I’ve covered California’s homeless since before the word was used. This is what I learned
LA Times
Opinion: Why is California behind Texas and other states in curbing homelessness?
LA TimesCalifornia homelessness measure’s razor-thin win signals growing voter fatigue
Associated Press
Photos: 2024 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count is underway
LA TimesAnnual count of homeless residents begins in Los Angeles, where tens of thousands live on streets
Associated Press
U.S. homelessness up 12% to highest reported level as rents soar and pandemic aid lapses
LA Times
More Americans Are Ending Up Homeless—at a Record Rate
Live Mint
Editorial: L.A.’s homeless numbers are grim. We must keep building housing and expanding services
LA TimesNumber of homeless residents in Los Angeles County jumps by 9% in annual count
Associated Press
Number of homeless residents in Los Angeles County jumps by 9% in annual count
The Independent
Here’s what parts of L.A. County saw biggest rise in homelessness
LA Times
Editorial: If California cities want homeless funding, they better stop blocking housing
LA Times
US homeless numbers stay about the same as before pandemic
Associated Press
Tally of homeless veterans fell 11%, biggest drop in 5 years
Associated Press
Los Angeles homeless count raises doubts about accuracy. Is it time for a new way?
LA Times
Editorial: Want to fix homelessness in Los Angeles? The pandemic showed us how to do it
LA Times
LA County homeless numbers up but many more went to shelters
Associated Press
Growth in L.A. County homeless population slowed during pandemic, count finds
LA Times
Number of homeless in O.C. drops by 17% over 3-year period, recent count shows
LA Times
Greater Los Angeles homeless count resumes after pandemic-related hiatus
LA Times
‘Gimme Shelter’: Sacramento plans to give homeless residents the right to housing
LA Times
Poll on homelessness: How it was done
LA Times
Los Angeles considers stricter limits on homeless camping
The Independent
Despite appearances, 12% fewer homeless people were on Hollywood streets this year
LA Times
New California homeless database aims to help policymakers
Associated Press
Report shows US homelessness rising even before pandemic
Associated Press
This year’s homeless count was canceled. Is it time to rethink it?
LA Times
Census takers head to homeless shelters, outdoor camps
The Independent
Does L.A. count its homeless, or make its best guess? A little of both, it turns out
LA Times
Homelessness jumped 13% in L.A. County, 14% in the city before pandemic
LA Times
Is there a way to predict who will become homeless? These UCLA researchers say yes
LA Times
95% of voters say homelessness is L.A.’s biggest problem, Times poll finds. ‘You can’t escape it’
LA Times
This city in Idaho is why L.A. can’t legally clear its streets of homeless encampments
LA TimesDiscover Related
