After more than a decade of explosive growth, Oakland’s homeless population dropped by 20% over the past two years, according to data released Tuesday.
The new numbers come from the point-in-time count, a one-day tally of unhoused residents conducted every two years by cities and counties in order to qualify for federal funding. An inexact estimate, the count is still considered the most accurate snapshot of local homelessness.
Oakland has an estimated 4,410 homeless people, per the count. This is a decrease from the 2024 peak of 5,485 people…