Federal homelessness data says California homeless population grew to 187,084 – Washington Examiner
The article discusses the latest federal data on homelessness, revealing that CaliforniaS homeless population has increased to 187,084. This facts highlights ongoing challenges related to homelessness in the state, despite various efforts to address the issue.The data underscores the persistent need for effective solutions and resources to support individuals experiencing homelessness. the recent federal data on homelessness indicates a troubling rise in California’s homeless population, which has now reached 187,084. This increase highlights the continuing challenges the state faces in effectively addressing homelessness, despite various initiatives and interventions put in place. the figures suggest that existing efforts may not be sufficient to tackle the root causes of homelessness and that there is a critical need for enhanced solutions and an allocation of resources aimed at supporting those affected. It underscores the urgency for policymakers and community organizations to collaborate on enduring strategies that can lead to meaningful improvements in the lives of individuals experiencing homelessness in California.
Federal homelessness data says California homeless population grew to 187,084
(The Center Square) – Newly released federal data says California’s homeless population grew to 187,084 at the start of 2024, up from 181,399 in 2023, raising questions about the efficacy of the state’s tens of billions of dollars in recent homeless spending.
Most of the state’s increase in homelessness can be attributed to growth in the state’s unsheltered homeless population, which is nearly half of the nation’s total. However, the state’s homeless population did grow much less than the national average, suggesting some of the state’s programs — albeit costly — may finally be making an impact.
In September, California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office brushed off a CalMatters estimate that the state’s homeless population grew to nearly 186,000, telling The Center Square the organization’s reporting was based on incomplete data that analyzed only 32 of the state’s 58 counties.
“California and other officials use official confirmed data published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and not CalMatters’ estimates, which are unverified,” said a Newsom spokesperson to The Center Square in September, when CalMatters released its report.
Now, the verified count from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recommended by Newsom’s office shows that homelessness is even higher than CalMatters estimated. This 5,685 individual increase in the state’s homeless population could suggest the state’s homelessness efforts — and tens of billions of dollars in recent state funding — have been unable to stop the growth of the state’s homeless population.
Earlier this year a state auditor looked into $24 billion of state homelessness spending, finding “the State lacks current information on the ongoing costs and outcomes of its homelessness programs” because it has “not consistently tracked and evaluated the State’s efforts to prevent and end homelessness.”
Newsom vetoed two widely-supported bipartisan bills to better track and evaluate homelessness spending and outcomes, saying his own directives to increase accountability make the measures redundant.
The state is now home to 123,974 unsheltered homeless individuals — up from 117,424 the year prior — or nearly half of the nation’s total. In 2019 — before the COVID-19 era — California had 151,278 homeless individuals, 108,432 of whom were unsheltered.
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