In Contra Costa County, homelessness has significantly decreased by 26% from the previous year, as reported by the latest “point-in-time” count. According to The Mercury News, the county observed a notable reduction from last year’s tally, with the estimated homeless population falling to 2,118 people, a difference of about 700 individuals.
Efforts in the county include a 34% bump in the availability of shelter beds and supportive housing placements since 2023. These initiatives seem to have a tangible effect on the numbers, as Christy Saxton, director of the county health department, reflected on the progress made by the Board of Supervisors. And while six in 10 homeless individuals still remain unsheltered, the number of residents without shelter has plummeted by 35%, down to 1,278.
However, it’s not all sunshine in the Bay Area, as stark contrasts emerge within the broader region. Santa Clara County reported an 8% surge in its homeless populace, reaching a new peak of 10,711. This unsettling figure, The Mercury News notes, underscores the continued complexity and scale of the homelessness crisis that plagues much of the Bay Area…