Annual Count of Homeless Contra Costa Residents Set for Jan. 25

On January 25, Contra Costa County will host its annual Point-in-Time count, documenting unsheltered residents who need housing.

Data from the PIT Count helps government, service providers and community advocates develop effective responses to the needs of local people who are experiencing homelessness. The information is also a required part of the county’s requests for federal and state funding for homeless services.

During the 2020 count, the last year for which we have reliable data, approximately 2,277 people were experiencing homelessness in Contra Costa County.

Data gathered during this year’s count will not be available for several months.

Data Shows Contra Costa County Sees Increase in Homelessness

In August, the Contra Costa Health Services released its 2022 Homeless Point in Time Count and Survey which showed more than 3,000 people in the county are homeless. Recently, the demographic and geographic information gathered through the 2022 survey has now been released.

According to the data:

• 2019 – 2,295
• 2020 – 2,277
• 2021 – no survey due to COVID
• 2022 – 3,093

Of the 3,093 homeless, data showed 764 were sheltered with 2,329 unsheltered.  The survey also showed that 21 % are experiencing homelessness for the first time.  Of those, 4% were 17 and younger. 18-24 year old at 18% and 78% were 25+.

East County

Central County

West County

2022 HOMELESS POINT-IN-TIME COUNT & SURVEY
Every year, Contra Costa County conducts a comprehensive count of people experiencing homelessness to measure the prevalence of homelessness across the county. This data is important to help identify local needs, determine the best practices for our community, and compare our experiences with other communities in the bay area.

The 2022 Point-in-Time Count was a community-wide effort to identify sheltered and unsheltered people in the county on the night of February 23rd, 2022. In the weeks following the street count, a survey was administered to 326 people experiencing homelessness; the majority of which were unsheltered the night of the count. This data captures the experiences and characteristics of the unsheltered population and supplements the full count data

Length of Time in Contra Costa County

• < 1 year – 5%
• 1-4 Years – 13%
• 5-9 Years – 5%
• 10 Years + – 77%

Age

• Under 18 – 4%
• 18-24 – 7%
• 25 years + – 89%

Gender

• Male – 57%
• Female – 42%
• Transgender/Non-Binary – 1%
• LGBTQIA+ Status – 5%

Race/Ethnicity

• White – 51%
• Black – 32%
• American/Indian/Alaska/Native – 9%
• LatinX – 24%
• Non-LatinX – 76

Sleep Setting on The Night of the County

• 26% – Ten
• 20% – Emergency Shelter
• 19% – Outdoor/Streets/Parks
• 15% – Recreational Vehicle
• 11% – Car
• 4% – Van
• 4% – Transitional Housing
• 1% – Abandoned Building

The survey showed that 15% of survey respondents have been in the foster care system, 12% were currently employed and 14% said they have spent one or more nights in jail/prison in the past year.

The primary condition that lead to homelessness (limited to top 6 responses) include:

• 27% – argument with family
• 23% – eviction/foreclosure
• 20% – substance abuse
• 14% – mental health issues
• 12% – family/domestic violence
• 12% – divorce/separation

Self Reported Health

• 60% – psychiatric or emotional condition
• 56% – alcohol & drug use
• 46% – PTSD
• 45% – chronic health problems
• 43% – physical disability
• 22% – development disability
• 21% – traumatic brain injury
• 9% – HIV/AIDS related illness

For more information and a breakdown of the data, click here.