Simi Valley City Council member Elaine Litster, left, hands Richard McMurtry snacks and socks after interviewing him at an encampment during Ventura County's annual homeless count on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025. Volunteers surveyed areas along the Arroyo Simi.
San Diego, California – The number of people experiencing homelessness in San Diego County has dropped by 7% over the past year, according to new data released Tuesday from the Regional Task Force on Homelessness (RTFH). The numbers are based on the county’s annual Point-in-Time Count, a one-night snapshot conducted each January by more than 1,700 volunteers.
The latest count found 9,905 people experiencing homelessness in the region—down from 10,605 last year. That includes 5,714 people living unsheltered and 4,191 in shelters or transitional housing. In San Diego, the decrease was even more significant, with a 14% drop. Veteran homelessness across the county declined by 25%, and unsheltered families saw a dramatic 72% reduction.
“It’s a measurable, meaningful shift,” said Tamera Kohler, CEO of the RTFH. “We’re encouraged by the progress, especially in veteran and family homelessness.”
Kohler credited the region’s coordinated investments, use of best practices, and collaboration between service providers, local governments, and housing partners. Still, she cautioned that challenges remain while the numbers are improving, particularly regarding housing affordability.
The report also highlighted some areas of concern. The number of seniors experiencing homelessness for the first time rose by 5%, with individuals 55 and older now making up one-third of the region’s unhoused population. The number of people living in vehicles increased by 7%, though youth homelessness dropped by 22%.
Mayor Todd Gloria praised the results but said the city’s work is far from over. “This confirms that our strategy to reduce homelessness and expand affordable housing is making a difference,” Gloria said. “But we’re not slowing down. We’ll keep pushing until every San Diegan has a safe place to sleep.”
Other cities in the county also saw improvements: Carlsbad (down 15%), Encinitas (down 12%), Oceanside and La Mesa (each down 9%), and Chula Vista (down 6%). El Cajon was the only city to report a significant increase in unsheltered homelessness—up more than 21%.
Father Joe’s Villages CEO Deacon Jim Vargas called the decline in family and veteran homelessness “a hopeful sign,” but stressed the urgency of addressing senior homelessness. “No one should spend their final years on the street,” he said.
While the Point-in-Time Count offers only a snapshot, officials say the trend is heading in the right direction.
