What we learned during this weekend’s homeless count in Santa Ana

IMPORTANT statistics regarding the homeless count over the weekend

By: Santa Ana City Councilman Juan Villegas

Citywide Key Findings:

• Total Unsheltered Count: 1,030 people.
• 564 Additional Homeless in Santa Ana since the January 2017 PIT (466 people)
• 81.8% are chronically homeless (one year or more)
• 52% reported their last permanent residence was outside the City of Santa Ana
• Compared to the last PIT Count, we have more unsheltered women

• Of the recent homeless populations, 23.4% or 132 people reported coming from the Riverbed
• 7.7% of the current homeless reported being veterans
• 28.5% reported having experienced domestic violence
• 32.6% reported having mental health concerns
• 36.9% reported having disabilities
• 50.7% reported some type of substance abuse
• 15.4% or 158 people, reported they were referred to Santa Ana by a person or Agency
• 32 Santa Ana USD public schools are located within 1,000 feet of encampments

Civic Center Findings

• 206 Unsheltered
• 2 libraries within the Civic Center
• 4 schools within 1,000 feet

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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