SAN DIEGO — The number of people experiencing homelessness in San Diego County dropped by 7% – and dropped by about 14% in the city of San Diego, according to data released Tuesday by the Regional Task Force on Homelessness.
The data was collected in January during the 2025 Point-in-Time Count, when more than 1,700 volunteers, including site coordinators, trained outreach workers and county staff hit the streets to speak to those living without stable housing.
“The progress is certainly encouraging,” said RTFH CEO Tamera Kohler. “The investments our region and cities have made are working, especially as they relate to veterans, family homelessness, and those needing a little financial assistance.
“I want to thank the elected leaders, providers, and other decision makers who have helped drive this change,” Kohler continued. “I also want to stress the obvious: There’s more work to do. Too many people, for example, are living in their cars, and while we are moving closer toward eliminating family and veteran homelessness, we need more apartment owners and landlords willing to house people with assistance.”
The annual count is a one-day snapshot of the minimum number of people experiencing homelessness throughout the region. The volunteers found no fewer than 9,905 people experiencing homelessness throughout the county, down from 10,605 a year ago. This year’s data include 5,714 unsheltered San Diegans and 4,191 individuals in shelters and transitional housing.
“The data (show) noteworthy reductions in several cities that saw their numbers fall due to a series of investments, partnerships, and utilization of best practices,” a statement from the RTFH read.
Also down in numbers were Carlsbad by 15%, San Marcos by 14% Encinitas by 12%, Oceanside and La Mesa by 9% and Chula Vista down 6%.
Escondido and Vista saw a smaller decrease – about 2% – in their homeless populations.
According to the data, Inland North County makes up about 9.5% of the county’s homeless population while Coastal North County makes up about 7.7%.
The only city to post a significant gain in both percentage and number was El Cajon, where the number of unsheltered people increased from 283 to 344 – a 21.6% increase.
Last year’s count found the number of homeless increased by an estimated 3% over the previous year, and the 2023 figures reported a 20% increase.
The number of homeless senior citizens – who make up fully a third of those experiencing homelessness in the region – increased by 5% over the year. Half of them became homeless for the first time.
The oldest person found unsheltered was an 80-year-old white male. Last year, it was an 85-year-old Hispanic woman.
“While it is encouraging to see that overall homelessness has declined, the continued rise in homelessness among older adults is deeply concerning,” said Serving Seniors President and CEO Melinda Forstey. “Behind these numbers are real people, the grandparents, neighbors, and longtime community members who have contributed to society and now find themselves without a safe place to call home.
“Most are not unhoused due to personal choices, but because of economic hardship such as the loss of a spouse, a job, a medical crisis, or rising rents that outpace fixed incomes,” she continued. “Seeing an increase in adults over 55 living in their vehicles is a troubling early warning sign. Living in a vehicle is a common first stop on the path to losing all shelter. One in five older adults experiencing homelessness is using a car or other vehicle as housing.”
The number of people living in vehicles also saw an increase of 7%, while the number of homeless transitional age youth (18-24) declined by 22%.
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria attributed the drop to his administration’s (and regional partners’) policies but emphasized there was work to be done.
“The data released today by the Regional Task Force on Homelessness confirm that our comprehensive strategy to reduce homelessness and build more affordable housing is working, and I thank our service providers for the difficult work they do every day to change lives for the better,” Gloria said. “But this is not the time to take the foot off the gas.
“When something is working, you don’t change course; you remain steadfast,” he continued. “My administration will continue to do everything we can to get people off the streets, into care, and on a path to stable housing.”
The number of families living unsheltered dropped dramatically – by 72% – and the number of veterans in the same situation also dropped by double-digits – 25%.
“We are encouraged to hear that, for the first time in a long time, unsheltered homelessness in our region has decreased, especially amongst some of our most vulnerable neighbors: veterans and families,” said Deacon Jim Vargas, president and CEO at Father Joe’s Villages, San Diego’s largest homelessness services provider. “This demonstrates what we’ve seen firsthand: targeted investments and partnerships between organizations like ours and our policymakers are making a difference.
“As our population ages, we must act swiftly to prevent seniors from losing their homes and to provide targeted services that meet their unique needs,” he continued. “Focusing on prevention, diversion, healthcare, and housing is key to addressing homelessness. It is a travesty for anyone to spend their golden years on the streets.”
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, safe sleeping and safe parking sites count as being unsheltered.
In the annual count, volunteers ask demographic questions of people they find experiencing homelessness. In 2024’s report, they began the reporting of Hispanic ethnicity along with race for the first time.
The Coast News contributed to this report.
