Homelessness surges: Orange County sees a 28% increase since 2022

Santa Ana, Calif. (May 8, 2024) – Today the County of Orange (County) released the results of the Orange County 2024 Point In Time (PIT) Count.

A total of 7,322 persons experiencing homelessness were counted during the 2024 PIT Count. Of the 7,322 individuals counted, 3,149 persons were sheltered while 4,173 persons were unsheltered. In comparing 2024 to 2022, there was a 37 percent increase in unsheltered population versus an increase in 18 percent in the sheltered population. However, when comparing 2019 to 2024, the increase was smaller at only five percent in the unsheltered population and nine percent in the sheltered population.

In total Orange County experienced a 28 percent increase from 2022 to 2024 and a seven percent increase from 2019 to 2024.

The 2024 PIT Count replicated the methodology utilized during the 2022 and 2019 PIT Count, providing the most accurate data comparison on the scope of homelessness in Orange County over the last five years. The 2024 PIT Count collected participant-level information including sheltered and unsheltered, household compositions, subpopulations and disabling conditions information, such as substance abuse disorder, serious mental illness and physical disability, amongst other demographic factors. The information collected through this process is self-reported and allows for a better understanding of the needs and challenges of people experiencing homelessness.

The County in partnership with the Orange County Continuum of Care (CoC) conducted the unsheltered count, with a record turnout of 1,251 volunteers over three days, from Tuesday, January 23, 2024, through Thursday, January 25, 2024, to ensure the 800 square mile Orange County jurisdiction was canvassed effectively. Data for the unsheltered count was collected utilizing Survey 123, a phone application, that captures GIS locations and provides vital information that guides the way the County responds to homelessness in Orange County.

The sheltered count was conducted the night of Monday, January 22, 2024. Over 100 Emergency Shelters and Transitional Housing Programs collected participant-level information for those staying the night in each program.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires that all CoC jurisdictions across the nation complete a biennial unsheltered count and an annual sheltered count of all persons experiencing homelessness in the community on a single point in time during the last ten days of January.

Click here to read a summary version of the report.

Art Pedroza Editor

Our Editor, Art Pedroza, worked at the O.C. Register and the OC Weekly and studied journalism at CSUF and UCI. He has lived in Santa Ana for over 30 years and has served on several city and county commissions. When he is not writing or editing Pedroza specializes in risk control and occupational safety. He also teaches part time at Cerritos College and CSUF. Pedroza has an MBA from Keller University.

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