SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — The number of people falling into homelessness continues to outpace the number of homeless people finding housing in San Diego County, new data from the Regional Task Force on Homelessness (RTHF) shows.
During the past 12 months, on average, 10 people found housing for every 16 people who experienced homelessness for the first time. In a similar report published last year, RTFH said 10 people found housing for every 13 people who experienced homelessness for the first time.
RTFH leaders say while the jump in numbers sounds bad, context helps.
Homeless numbers are down this year compared to the previous year. Over 1,000 fewer people experienced homelessness in San Diego County for the first time during the 12 months the data was collected compared to the 12 months before.
Also, the number of people housed in the region dropped more than 3,000 compared to the previous year's dataset.
The task force says the lack of emergency housing vouchers in 2023, the skyrocketing rent and the lack of large housing projects play a role in this year's jarring numbers.
The organization's CEO Tamera Kohler said as rent goes up, so will the number of people experiencing homelessness.
"While this affects our ability to house more people each month, she said, "the data shows we may have hit our high water mark of individuals beginning their homeless experience. This is a positive turn we need."
In RTFH's first report last year, they found 15,327 people countywide were experiencing homelessness for the first time, while 11,861 who were unhoused found housing.
This year's data shows:
- 14,258 people experienced homelessness for the first time.
- 8,843 people exited homelessness.
Kohler said this is a good sign.
"These numbers are sobering but present a case for optimism," she said.
Kohler also said most people are exiting homelessness through rental properties and not through supportive housing.
"If we get some stabilizing in rent prices and availability, it will help," she said, "but long-term success will only come with more homes for people of all income levels; then, we've got a real chance to turn things around. Every new housing unit matters."
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