Homelessness dropped 6.6% across San Diego County last year
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San Diego County's homeless population declined from January 2024 to January 2025, with the city's falling even further, according to results from the annual homeless census released Tuesday.
Why it matters: The annual nationwide Point in Time Count is a single-day event in January in which volunteers fan out to capture a snapshot of the state of homelessness.
- It's generally seen as a minimum, with some homeless residents likely to go uncounted, but nonetheless it is useful in providing a comparison over time.
By then numbers: The county's total homeless population — both people living on the street and in shelters but without permanent housing solutions — fell 6.6%, from 10,605 last year to 9,905 this year.
- In the city of San Diego — home to more than half of the county's unhoused residents — overall homelessness fell by 13.5%, from 6,783 to 5,866.
Yes, but: The county's homeless population is still larger than it was at any point from 2014 through 2023.
The intrigue: Street homelessness in the city decreased just 3.9%, to 3,354 people — but that number includes more than 700 residents of city-sanctioned camping sites.
- City officials are lobbying to count those campsites as shelters because they provide meals, showers, bathrooms, medical services and employment help on-site.
- That change, if granted, wouldn't affect the city's total homeless residents, but it would show a larger decrease in street homelessness.
Zoom in: Homelessness fell in most parts of the county.
- Carlsbad (-15%), Encinitas (-12%), Oceanside (-9%), La Mesa (-9%) and Chula Vista (-6%) all saw overall decreases since 2024.
- El Cajon saw a 30% increase from 800 a year ago to 1,039 this year. That included a 21.5% increase in street homelessness.
Between the lines: The Regional Task Force on Homelessness (RTFH) — which organized the 1,700 volunteers for the count — praised the county's 72% drop in family homelessness and 25% decline in veteran homelessness.
- The number of people living in vehicles went up 7%, and seniors who were homeless for the first time that year also rose 5%.
What they're saying: RTFH CEO Tamera Kohler said investments in homeless services and regional partnerships are driving the improvement.
- "While we are moving closer toward eliminating family and veteran homelessness, we need more apartment owners and landlords willing to house people with assistance," she said in a statement.