Latest news with #Point-in-TimeCount
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
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@ Follow him on X @DP_ReneDeLaCruz This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: County reports decrease in homelessness, small uptick in High Desert
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Florida homeless service demands increase despite drop in federal, state funding
As Board Chair of The Lord's Place, a local nonprofit providing programs and services to end homelessness, we serve our most vulnerable neighbors. On any given night there are thousands of men, women and children – hidden in the shadows of Palm Beach County's paradise – who do not have a safe and permanent place to call home. Annually, we participate in the U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-mandated Point-in-Time Count (PIT). PIT is a count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January. As reported by The Palm Beach Post, the January 2025 PIT Count recently released reflects 1,520 individuals and families in Palm Beach County who are struggling without a place to call home. This reflects a decrease of more than 28%, after staggering increases that were reported in 2023 and 2024. Although the count is a vital tool for resource development and planning, it serves as one measure of Palm Beach County's progress in decreasing homelessness and success in housing homeless populations. The recent statewide legislation makes it illegal to camp on public property and has led many of those we seek to move into the shadows. This makes it increasingly difficult to get accurate results. The School District of Palm Beach County uses another tool to count public school students who are experiencing homelessness. According to the school district's latest count, there are 4,252 students in our county without a place to call home. And, as observed by The Lord's Place staff, we are seeing an ever-increasing number of local residents seeking services because they no longer have a secure roof over their heads. Since our fiscal year began July 1, 2024, we have served a total of 1,891 men, women and children so far – an additional 312 individuals experiencing homelessness compared to the previous year-to-date. The great news is that the county government and community partners, like The Lord's Place, are working harder than ever to serve our at-risk neighbors. As an example, previous PIT Count surveys showed a rise in senior homelessness which led The Lord's Place to recently open Burckle Place III, an intergenerational housing facility for 21 women. We are also getting ready to open Bill's Place, a facility for men 55 years and older. Opinion: I'm an Army veteran. Florida's u-turn on our benefits is common sense. The not-so-good news is this year's decreased PIT Count could mean a reduction in allocated federal and state resources to provide housing and supportive services designed to assist individuals and families out of homelessness and into stability. The unsettling reality is a gap exists between the number of unhoused people we count and the actual number who lack permanent shelter – perhaps those who are couch surfing, living in their cars, hidden in wooded areas, encampments or at work or school. Therefore, we continue to face a shortfall in the resources we have to serve this more than ever, agencies like ours are having to turn to private donors to mitigate the impact of these potential cuts to ensure continued support for our neighbors in need. Letter: Federal funds aid Palm Beach County The Lord's Place, along with the County and our community partners, will continue to play a key role in advocating for more resources. As ambassadors for those experiencing homelessness, our work will never be done until every individual in Palm Beach County is accounted for and has a home. Cornie Thornburgh is Chair of The Lord's Place Board of Directors. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida homeless services need increases as funds decrease | Opinion
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Census shows slight rise in homelessness, hundreds of public-school students are unsheltered
New data from the Homeless Services Network shows Central Florida's homeless population increased again this year, but it was a much smaller margin than previous years. In all, 2,781 people were found sleeping in their cars, on the street, or in shelters on a single night in January as part an annual Point-in-Time Count, a census that takes place in communities across the country. This year, the report, released by the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida, documented only a slight rise in overall homelessness for Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties, but the nonprofit partially attributed that to fear spawned by a new state law that makes it illegal for local governments to allow public camping. 'We are grateful that this is the smallest percent increase in several years,' said Martha Are, the Homeless Services Network's CEO. 'However, we also experienced more difficulty in locating people this year, and increased reluctance to engage with staff and volunteers who were participating in the count process. People are hiding.' The count found the total number of people experiencing homelessness on Jan. 27 had increased by only five since 2024. Orange County's total of 1,972 people experiencing homelessness had dropped by 2.1 percent. Seminole County's 436 total was a 3.8 percent increase over 2024, and Osceola County's 373 total was up by 8.7 percent over last year. The number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness dropped by four people since 2024. In previous years, this population had been rising steeply, and the 2025 total was still 156% higher than 2022. Are, said the data continues to reiterate the need for more shelter beds in the community, after plans for a controversial Sodo shelter were dropped by the city of Orlando in March. 'We know that we need at least 1,090 beds. And we know, that that's probably an undercount,' said Are. Channel 9 reached out to the City of Orlando on Friday, for an update on their shelter efforts. 'While we are not currently pursuing a standalone, brick and mortar building, the City of Orlando is committed to addressing homelessness and continues to work to create lasting solutions. Tackling this complex challenge requires regional collaboration and bold strategies, and the city remains dedicated to improving the lives of our most vulnerable residents,' said a City of Orlando Spokesperson. According to Are, this year, non-profits across the region helped move 5,000 people experiencing homelessness off the streets and into housing. She also noted there was a 29% drop in young adults, ages 18 to 24, who were sleeping on the streets or in the woods. Are credited the decrease to renewed focus on homeless youth. She specifically highlighted an $8.4 million investment by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, into the Brighter Days Initiative, which connects young adults experiencing homelessness to caseworkers, job training, host home and rental assistance. 'What we're seeing as effective with both the Brighter Days Initiative with our youth and with the other populations, is that housing focused strategies make a difference,' said Are. A press conference held Friday also revealed new data from local school districts which showed a troubling number of students experiencing homelessness. The districts overall homelessness counts include children whose families live in hotel rooms or are doubled up with relatives and other families — but this year the districts reported a rising number living in cars, parks, campgrounds, abandoned buildings or other places labeled as 'inadequate housing.' As of April 2, Orange County had 574 unsheltered/inadequately housed students (8,167 total homeless students) As of Feb. 7*, Seminole County had 358 unsheltered/inadequately housed students (3,175 total homeless students) As of April 4, Osceola had 127 unsheltered/inadequately housed students (3,281 total homeless students) Christine Cleveland, a senior administrator for Orange County Public Schools, said the vast majority of those families have at least one working parent. Cleveland said OCPS offers free meals to students and has a team focused on serving homeless students and families. 'We are the eighth largest district in the nation, and we really reflect that diversity. But in that we have this hidden struggle that is happening with our homeless population,' said Cleveland. On Friday, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings sent the following statement in response to the Point In Time count to Channel 9. 'I am encouraged to learn that the recent point-in-time count shows a slight decrease in Orange County's homeless population, but I remain deeply concerned for those who are still unsheltered. Orange County Government continues to be the largest single funder of public services for the homeless in Central Florida. In our 2024-2025 budget, we have dedicated over $56 million to support the needs of the homeless population, including mental health, health care services, and housing. Our goal is to work hand in hand with our regional partners to reduce the number of individuals experiencing homelessness and provide support to those most at risk.' Meanwhile the Homeless Services Network shared the links below and asked for the public's help: -- sign up to support additional affordable housing and shelters -- support homeless students in Orange County -- support homeless students in Seminole County -- support homeless students in Osceola County -- support the Homeless Services Network -- support SALT Outreach Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Under Code Blue temps and increased camping enforcement, volunteers count Utah homeless
Volunteers carrying supplies look for people experiencing homelessness in Sugar House Park during the Point-in-Time Count on Monday, Jan. 30, 2025. (Photo by Ashley Fredde for Utah News Dispatch) With questions of whether Code Blue temperatures and pressures to increase camping enforcement in Salt Lake City had pushed more unsheltered Utahns indoors, volunteers spent three nights counting how many Utahns slept on the streets. For the first time, Utah's annual Point-in-Time Count not only surveyed the number of people experiencing homelessness but also asked them what would get them into shelter. To Randy, a 31-year-old man who has been homeless twice in three years, the answer was simple. 'I don't want to be corralled like cattle,' he said. 'I still want to be with my community that I associate with.' Randy indicated he wouldn't go into a congregate shelter but would access a dorm-style shelter or micro shelter that allowed pets. He said that while he struggles with substance use disorder, he's never had a problem staying housed during active addiction. Randy was found near a southeast Salt Lake City TRAX station just as the sun was beginning to rise, dressed in some ill-fitting sweatpants, a loose sweatshirt, hat and a blanket wrapped around his shoulders. As he spoke his breath hung in the air and his voice wavered when he shivered. Volunteers across Utah conducted the annual Point-in-Time Count on Jan. 30, 31 and Feb. 1. It's part of a nationwide tally under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness on a single night in January each year. Each count is planned, coordinated and carried out locally by the area's network of homeless providers, known as a continuum of care. At the same time, a Housing Inventory Count is conducted to gather data on the utilization of beds dedicated to those experiencing homelessness including emergency shelter, transitional housing, rapid re-housing, domestic violence shelter and permanent supportive housing. Data gathered in this year's Point-in-Time Count won't be available until summer. While many factors can influence who is experiencing homelessness on a single night, the survey provides a snapshot of which services are being utilized and which are lacking. The data can help the state adjust its approach as it tries to make homelessness rare, brief and nonrecurring. In its 2024 point-in-time data, the state reported a 9% increase in Utahns (or 794 additional people) who became homeless for the first time compared to the previous year. The state last year also saw an uptick in the number of people experiencing homelessness multiple times (4%) and people accessing emergency shelter and transitional housing over the course of the year (4%) when compared to 2022. Investments into permanent housing projects with supportive services showed success, with the number of people returning to homelessness within two years of exiting the system into a permanent housing situation falling by 5% from 2023 to 2024. Additionally, the report found that 93% of people housed by long-term housing projects maintained their housing or obtained permanent housing outside the project. While the state has seen success in recent affordable housing projects, building takes time — and it so far hasn't kept up with a growing need. The number of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Salt Lake County rose from 281 in 2022 to 435 in 2023, dipping only slightly in 2024 to 413. When Salt Lake City volunteers began the count around 3:30 a.m. on Jan. 30, temperatures hovered around 25 degrees and fell to about 23 degrees by the time efforts wrapped about 6 a.m. Frost coated abandoned carts and sleeping bags as volunteers worked their way through their designated areas. But as volunteers searched the city's nooks and crannies over a three-day span, there seemed to be little to find. Efforts ahead of the count noted groups of unsheltered people and tents along Sugar House Park and Fairmont Park, but when volunteers arrived only one tent remained. 'I've never done a PIT count where I've interviewed so few people, but I've never done a PIT count on a Code Blue night,' one volunteer said as flashlight beams swept the parks. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A Code Blue is called by a county's health department when the National Weather Service predicts temperatures will reach 18 degrees Fahrenheit, including wind chill, for two hours or more over 24 hours. The alert prompts an expansion of permanent homeless shelters' capacity limit by up to 35% or triggers operation of a temporary shelter. Some counties such as Utah County and Salt Lake County have elected for churches to open as a temporary shelter. A Code Blue had been called for Salt Lake County on Jan. 30 but because of staffing issues St. Mark's Cathedral, an emergency shelter space, had not opened, though permanent shelters in the area upped their capacities. 'The Point-in-Time Count gives us an idea of where people are at and so when we're able to look at it as a big picture and not just the tracks we were in but the tracks everyone had — we're able to look at those heat maps and it'll help tell the story about where people are moving around,' said Tricia Davis, director of the Utah Office of Homeless Services. 'It'll be interesting to see what happens throughout the state. But we did see that in the data last year because of Code Blue emergency shelter being available that the unsheltered count went down and the sheltered count went up.' But questions were raised by several volunteers about whether anti-camping enforcement or temperatures could have prompted the change. Salt Lake City — the seat of the county with the state's largest homeless population — has been under scrutiny from Utah's top Republican leaders for on-street camping, violence and drug trade. Gov. Spencer Cox, House Speaker Mike Schultz and Senate President Stuart Adams issued a letter in December to Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall giving her one month to come up with a plan to 'restore public confidence, security and safety.' If Mendenhall's plan or efforts are seen as inadequate, lawmakers have made clear their intent to intervene. The letter additionally criticized the Salt Lake City Police Department for its enforcement, stating that 'the ineffectiveness of SLCPD has become glaringly apparent.' Within weeks, on Wednesday, it was announced Mendenhall had dismissed Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown to make way for 'the next chapter in the SLCPD's leadership.' Brown said he will retire after his final day on the job, Feb. 28. Mendenhall's lengthy plan includes 27 city actions and recommends 23 larger system changes. The plan identifies six key actions to tackle barriers in addressing public safety without criminalizing homelessness such as targeting drugs and firearms, expanding emergency shelter options, stricter enforcement for repeat offenders, expanding mental health and substance abuse treatment options, continued investment in affordable housing, and ensuring coordinated efforts among city, county, and state entities. In addition to the funding request for a temporary homeless campus, the mayor has asked for ongoing support for homeless services — including mental health and substance abuse treatment — and increased jail capacity. She also has asked for legislative changes for drug offenses, bail reform and better protection for cities managing homeless encampments. CONTACT US Tensions have been further amplified between Mendenhall and lawmakers as she has called for 'immediate action' to create more space for shelter while state leaders continue the search for a 30-acre property to house 1,200 new emergency shelter beds in its plans for a 'transformative, centralized campus.' While the search for a new homeless services campus is ongoing, Mendenhall has offered a city-owned property for a campus facility for up to 24 months if capital can be allocated. Whether lawmakers will agree to the funding and where the temporary facility would be remains unclear. While parts of Mendenhall's plan remain pending, increasing enforcement does not. In the first three weeks after the plan was revealed, Salt Lake City logged 460 jail bookings, issued 89 citations for illegal camping, and seized 42 guns. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recommends not interrupting street activities or enforcing anti-camping ordinances ahead of the count to help convey a more accurate number. 'If we're looking at Sugar House Park and Fairmont Park it is important for people experiencing homelessness to feel safe. It's also important for all of our communities to feel safe,' Davis said. Some enforcement did occur, acknowledged Salt Lake City Director of Homeless Policy and Outreach Andrew Johnston, but it was mostly centered on drug dealing. 'There wasn't a lot of enforcement for the camping, maybe a couple of folks,' he said.'Ideally, we try not to disrupt the camps as much.' Randy was one of seven other adults identified by Salt Lake City volunteers assigned to the Sugar House area on Jan. 31. Other efforts located two RVs that did not respond to volunteers' knocks and the single tent at Sugar House Park. Volunteers offered food, warm clothing and blankets, as well as a list of resources to those contacted. 'Every year I've done this there's been a sweet spot where, when we hit it, you just pass out, pass out, pass out, and those are the moments I relish. The last thing I want is to take those blankets home,' said Jason Miller, a volunteer. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Local Point-in-Time homeless count concludes
EAU CLAIRE—Efforts to count the number of homeless people in Eau Claire, Buffalo, Trempealeau, and Jackson counties concluded Wednesday evening after a week's worth of work. The biannual Point-in-Time Count began Wednesday, January 22 at 11 p.m. and concluded at 5 p.m. a week later on January 29. 'We do this twice a year,' said Communications Coordinator for Western Dairyland Economic Opportunity Council Dale Karls. 'Once in July, and then we do it again in January. It's really a week long process [to identify] anyone who was unsheltered on the night of January 22.' On the night of January 22, staff and volunteers of Western Dairyland, Hope Gospel Mission, Family Promise of the Chippewa Valley, Catholic Charities, and Bolton Refuge House as well as other members of the community split into teams to roam different regions in search of homeless individuals to survey. 'It's exactly like it sounds,' Karls said. 'Some people are on the outskirts of the city, some people are driving around the rural areas, some people are walking downtown Eau Claire. We have paperwork and we have to approach people, strike up a conversation, ask them questions, and they fill out a survey. We had about 60 volunteers go out on the night of January 22.' In addition to surveying the homeless they find, Karls said that they make sure to offer immediate services. 'If they want a ride to Sojourner House, we arrange for that,' he said. 'If they need supplies, we arrange that immediately, but in the end, what we need is to collect some demographic data, and then we go over the paperwork over the last week and make sure we haven't duplicated that paperwork.' The following day, they had an event at a local church where they provided services and connections for those experiencing homelessness. 'Anyone who came to that, we could talk to them and survey if they were sheltered the previous night,' he said. 'We count them in our final numbers and then the same thing continues all week.' During this time, they also go through the existing paperwork to ensure they haven't duplicated data. 'Then it is sent in to people at the state level to verify all the information,' he said. 'That's why there's a bit of a delay in getting the final numbers. The final numbers won't be available until late February.' In July's Point-in-Time count, the number of homeless counted was 104, double the number of the January 2024 count. Karls stressed that the numbers are just one data point Western Dairyland uses. 'This is just one data point,' he said. 'It gets a lot of attention, primarily due to all the volunteers who come in and help make a difference, but it's just one piece of data that we're looking at. When we look at real demographic trends, we're going to look at much more than just this one piece of data. It's a good effort, and it does give us some valuable data, but this number is never going to be 100 percent accurate. We know that it's just one piece of data that we can use to figure out how severe the issues are.'
