Santa Barbara County is shifting its homelessness strategy after new data showed more young adults are falling into homelessness and a growing number of working residents are living in vehicles.
The Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday accepted the county’s annual homelessness update. Officials said the number of people entering homelessness for the first time fell 31% last year, reflecting what they attributed to expanded prevention and diversion efforts.
But county staff said new trends suggest homelessness is becoming increasingly tied to housing affordability. Homelessness among young adults ages 18 to 24 increased 22% between 2023 and 2025…