The 2019 Sacramento County Point in Time Homeless Count shows the number of people living on the street has gone up 19 percent since the last count in 2017, according to a report issued Wednesday by Sacramento Steps Forward and the Sacramento State Institute for Social Research.
This year's count was conducted over two nights in January and indicates 5,570 people experience homelessness on a given night, according to data collected. About 70 percent of those people are considered unsheltered, and 93 percent say they are from the Sacramento area.
"An overall increase in this year’s Homeless Point in Time count was expected," said Lisa Bates, CEO of Sacramento Steps Forward. "We have greatly improved the count method and reach to capture a more accurate snapshot of homelessness in Sacramento County, which will help us better serve the community moving forward."
The numbers show that homelessness in the county increased at a slower rate than in previous years and is similar to communities throughout most of California and along the West Coast. The report also indicates rates of chronic homelessness has declined.
"Obviously, we are disappointed with the increase, but (Sacramento) County remains strongly committed and will continue its investment in solutions," said Sacramento County Board of Supervisors Chair Patrick Kennedy. "We are in the second full year of the County Homeless Initiatives and implementing the $44 million expansion in mental health and housing services – we are seeing good results."
"This news is both sobering and hopeful," said Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg in response to the report. "It’s sobering because the overall number of people experiencing homelessness went up 19 percent. It's hopeful because chronic homelessness is down, especially among the unsheltered. This change shows that our strategy of targeting the most chronically homeless with services and shelter is beginning to work, and we need to take it to scale."
The report says continued rise in homelessness reflects the continued challenges with housing affordability locally and across the state with the majority of individuals surveyed indicating access to affordable housing would help to resolve their homelessness, and Mayor Steinberg agrees.
"Too many people are becoming homeless because of high housing prices. Our City Council decision two weeks ago to create a $100-million housing trust fund could not be more timely. We must follow through aggressively to put these resources to use and change these numbers."
You'll find more information on the Sacramento County Point in Time Homeless Count by clicking here for the frequently asked questions section of the related report.