Regina Laack calls the Offentsive camp for homeless women off Fairfield Drive home on Monday, February 3, 2025, but a recent Escambia County code violation order may jeopardize that.
California – Homelessness has long been a major concern for Californians, and in 2024, the problem reached record levels across the state. Out of the 771,500 individuals experiencing homelessness nationwide, more than 187,000—about 24%—were in California. What’s even more alarming is that nearly two-thirds of those experiencing homelessness in the state were unsheltered, contributing to nearly half of the country’s unsheltered population.
While the nation saw a significant rise in homelessness—an 18% increase from 2023 to 2024—California’s growth was much slower at just 3%. This was largely driven by a notable increase in sheltered homelessness across the country (up by 25%) compared to just a 9% rise in California. Unsheltered homelessness in the U.S. rose by 7%, while California saw a minimal increase of only 0.4%, suggesting the state is managing the issue more slowly than other regions.
Each year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) conducts a “point-in-time” (PIT) count to get a snapshot of homelessness. While this data has limitations, it provides the best national, state, and local estimates. The most recent PIT count revealed that the 10 Continuums of Care (CoCs) that cover California’s largest homeless populations accounted for more than 70% of the state’s total homelessness in 2024.
In California’s most populous regions, trends varied. Los Angeles, Alameda, and San Francisco saw reductions in their unsheltered homeless populations, but sheltered homelessness grew by as much as 25% in San Francisco. In San Diego, unsheltered homelessness rose by 18%, while sheltered homelessness dropped by 12%. Other parts of the state, like Monterey, Kern, and Contra Costa counties, reported alarming increases in total homelessness—up to 38% in some areas.
The rise in homelessness in less urban areas is concerning as well. Counties with smaller populations, such as Lake and Yolo, saw unsheltered homelessness surge by more than 50%, indicating a shift in where the problem is growing.
California’s housing crisis remains the root cause of these issues, with rising home prices and rents making housing increasingly out of reach for many. In fact, a quarter of Californians, especially lower-income individuals, worry about their housing costs daily. With the state’s homeownership rates among the lowest in the country, it’s clear that both short-term and long-term solutions are needed.
To tackle this issue, California lawmakers have allocated billions of dollars to support homelessness programs. The governor’s January budget plan includes the establishment of a new California Housing and Homelessness Agency to better coordinate the state’s efforts and improve accountability for how funds are spent. Additionally, voters passed Prop 1 last year, which will increase funding for supportive housing and behavioral health services.
As the state grapples with its homelessness crisis, it’s clear that a multi-faceted approach—including more housing development, financial assistance, and targeted local solutions—is crucial for making meaningful progress in the fight against homelessness.
