Annual homeless count shows progress in suburbs and for vets. But for seniors, results are a 'flashing red light'
San Diego County’s 2026 homeless count shows mixed results, with overall numbers nearly flat after a slight decline. Encouraging trends include fewer unsheltered individuals, increased shelter use, and major progress among veterans and suburban areas. However, officials warn of a growing crisis among seniors, many experiencing homelessness for the first time. Leaders say rising costs and limited fixed incomes are key drivers, while looming funding cuts threaten future progress despite recent gains in outreach, shelter access, and targeted support programs.
Homeless people across San Diego County counted in annual pre-dawn census
The annual Point-in-Time Count surveys homelessness across San Diego County using volunteers assigned to mapped census tracts. Conducted before dawn, it provides a minimum estimate used to guide federal funding, though visibility limits mean some unsheltered individuals are likely missed.
Volunteer Group 12 spent the morning canvassing Allied Gardens, eventually locating multiple people living in vehicles. By the end of their shift, they had distributed all their supplies, offering brief moments of connection during the count.
The state of homelessness: Examining criminalization and inaction by local government
After a devastating 2023 coastal storm destroyed beachside encampments, my encounter with a displaced unhoused man highlights the growing intersection of homelessness and climate change. While some rely on personal networks to recover, many lack support as rising sea levels and extreme weather increase risks. The piece contrasts limited action on the Central Coast with San Diego’s enforcement-heavy approach, arguing that displacement and criminalization worsen conditions. It concludes that homelessness must be addressed through housing, not policing.