National Decline in Homelessness Registered in 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
By: Zack Olmstead

California's homeless population increases by 2.3 percent over same period

On December 13, 2011, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development released the results from the hundreds of point-in-time homeless counts that took place 11 months ago. These counts incorporate data from more than 3,000 cities and counties, including the 42 continua of care that represent nearly all of California.

In a time of deep economic hardship -- when federal, state, and local budgets are slashing safety-net programs -- the progress made in reducing national homelessness has been quite impressive in the past year. This is a testament to the significant investment in evidence-based best practices like permanent supportive housing, and the infusion of resources into communities through the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Programs funded by the stimulus.

Overall, the national homeless population lowered by 2.1 percent in the last year, including a 12 percent reduction in veteran's homelessness and a 2.8 percent reduction in family homelessness. The numbers in California, where significant housing affordability concerns remain, were less positive and include:

• California now has 21.4 percent of the nation's homeless population, an increase from last year. California's overall homeless population grew by 2.3 percent.
• 62.7 percent of our homeless remain unsheltered, one of the highest rates in the nation.
• 25 percent of our homeless are "chronically homeless," meaning they are experiencing homelessness for more than one year or have several episodes of homelessness in the past few years.

For more detailed information, view the Supplemental AHAR Report. 

Contact: Zack Olmstead, 916.447.0503 x108 or zolmstead@housingca.org.