San Bernardino County reports decrease in homelessness, uptick in two High Desert cities
San Bernardino County's 2025 Point-In-Time Count showed a 14.2% countywide decrease in homelessness from previous years.
In the High Desert, Barstow and Victorville were among the top eight county jurisdictions with the largest number of persons counted as homeless, county officials stated.
The Point-in-Time Count also revealed that Adelanto and Hesperia experienced a slight increase in homeless individuals.
The count took place in January 2025, with county officials and volunteers seeking homeless individuals, including the unsheltered, and those living in shelters and transitional housing.
Data from the 2025 count identified a total of 2,718 unsheltered homeless individuals countywide, a decrease of 435 individuals, or 14.2%, compared to last year.
In 2024, the homeless population grew by 1%, compared to 26% in 2023 and 6.6% in 2022.
'The data from this year is encouraging because it shows that our efforts are making a difference,' said Board of Supervisors Vice Chair and Fifth District Supervisor Joe Baca, Jr., who serves as chair of the Continuum of Care Board, which is responsible for building a countywide network to support the homeless. 'Although our work is far from over, I'm glad to see progress in reducing homelessness'
The latest Point-in-Time Count revealed the top jurisdictions with the largest number of persons counted as homeless, which include:
San Bernardino: 1,535
Victorville: 448
Fontana: 364
Ontario: 297
Colton: 178
Redlands: 146
Rancho Cucamonga: 120
Barstow: 96
Victorville's homeless numbers decreased from 611 in 2024 to 448 in 2025, a difference of 163 individuals.
Barstow's homeless number also decreased from 113 to 96, a difference of 17 people over the last year.
Last year, Apple Valley's homeless count was 31, with 18 counted in 2025, a decrease of 13.
Hesperia and Adelanto both saw a slight increase in homeless individuals over the last year.
Adelanto was found with 29 homeless individuals last year compared to 38 this year. Hesperia experienced an increase of three homeless people, with 67 counted in 2024 compared to 70 this year.
The annual Point-in-Time Count provides a snapshot of the county's homeless population, which enables officials to track progress toward reducing homelessness and ensure resources are being directed to areas that need it most, county officials said.
The annual count is also crucial for securing grant funding to assist individuals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
Each year, the count is coordinated by the San Bernardino County Homeless Partnership with support from the San Bernardino County Office of Homeless Services.
This year's count was completed on Jan. 23 and included participation from members of the board of supervisors, Assessor-Recorder-County Clerk Josie Gonzales, cities, towns, county employees, community groups, homeless service providers, stakeholders and individuals.
'I'm deeply grateful to the county departments, community partners and volunteers who came together to make the annual count a success,' Baca said. 'Data from this year's Point-In-Time Count will allow us to effectively address homelessness in our communities.'
County leaders said they believe the decrease in homelessness is due to ongoing outreach events and a boost in state and federal funding aimed at combating homelessness, along with the county's use of those funds to expand capacity.
In April 2025, the city of Victorville's Wellness Center announced they would be receiving funding after the San Bernardino County Community Development and Housing Department announced two contracts from the Housing and Homeless Incentive Program, the Daily Press reported.
Opened in December 2023, the wellness center offers support services such as an on-site medical clinic tailored to Medi-Cal and Medicare-eligible residents. Additionally, wraparound services like behavioral health services, job readiness, and financial literacy to help stabilize and rebuild the lives of the unhoused.
'The county appreciates the funding that has been allocated to support local governments in providing support and services for people experiencing homelessness,' said Marcus Dillard, chief of homeless services. 'These strategic investments have enabled the county to expand housing infrastructure and implement evidence-based programs that significantly strengthen our comprehensive response to this urgent community challenge.'
Overall, the Office of Homeless Services secured more than $22 million last year to provide permanent housing and other support for people experiencing homelessness.
'In San Bernardino County, we've been addressing this issue with urgency and compassion by leading and supporting our cities in collective ongoing outreach events at encampment locations,' Dillard said. 'Through these events, we've been able to connect individuals to shelter, supportive services and permanent housing. We will continue to do all that we can to help resolve this issue.'
County officials said that while this year's data has indicated a decrease in homelessness, it remains a pressing issue. County departments will continue to lead and support homeless outreach events and work collaboratively to create additional housing opportunities.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: County reports decrease in homelessness, small uptick in High Desert
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