Homelessness numbers down in Santa Cruz County
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY, Calif. (KION-TV) - New results from Santa Cruz show that the number of people experiencing homelessness is now at the lowest point in the county's history.
According to the County's Housing for Health Partnership (H4HP), the 2025 homeless Point-in-Time (PIT) Count identified 1,473 people experiencing homelessness in santa Cruz County, a 20 percent drop compared to last year's number of 1,850.
24 percent of those experiencing homelessness in 2025 are sheltered, with 76 percent unsheltered.
Of that number, 26 percent are within the age range of 35 and 44, and 72 percent are male. 40 percent of people are experiencing their first episode of homelessness, with 45 percent of that number being between the ages of 25 and 54.
"We’ve reduced the overall number of people experiencing homelessness and see signs of significant progress with youth, working adults, and veterans, populations benefitting from more consistent funding and community support for housing and services. We need similar commitments to see progress among those with disabling health conditions," said Santa Cruz County Housing for Health Director Robert Ratner.
Of the 1,473 people, 78 percent of those became homeless while already living in Santa Cruz County, with the H4HP stating this percentage reaffirms homelessness remaining a local issue requiring local solutions.
PIT County is federally mandated to look at individuals and families currently experiencing homelessness using the county's annual survey, which was conducted on Jan. 30.
The full report and infographic can be found on Santa Cruz County's H4HP website.
