Over past year, number of newly homeless has outpaced those who are housed, report shows

A monthly report on homelessness throughout San Diego County continues to show discouraging news, with the number of people falling into homelessness again outpacing the number of homeless people who find housing.

Data released Wednesday by the San Diego Regional Task Force on Homelessness showed 725 individuals were housed in February, with most renting places themselves, while 1,036 individuals experienced homelessness for the first time.

It has been a full year since the number of people housed was greater than the number of people who fell into homeless, and even then the numbers were almost an even split. In March 2022, the RTFH reported 1,321 people were housed, just nine more than the number of people who fell into homelessness that month.

The numbers have been reversed since then, and the gap often far greater. When the task force first released data on the trend last October, the 12-month average showed 13 people had become homeless for every 10 people housed.

There also continues to be a large number of people seeking services to avoid or overcome homelessness for the first time.

In February, 3,701 people received services for the first time, while 27,509 people already were being served in programs, a 2 percent increase from January.

Of the 27,509 people in programs, 8,364 were at least 55 years old, 2,010 were youths ages 18-24 and 3,897 were veterans. Active clients include 2,496 families.

Of the 725 people who found housing in February, 174 were seniors, 115 were veterans and 66 were transitional-age youth between 18-24. There were 87 families housed in February.

Most found housing on their own, with 522 people reported to have rented a unit and four moving into property they owned. An additional 99 people moved in with a family member.

The RTFH February report found 788 people joined a waiting list for housing.

Tamera Kohler, CEO of the task force, has said the monthly reports shows homelessness ebbs and flows, with some months showing far greater numbers of newly homeless people.

As an example, the reports show a high of 1,650 people falling into homeless in May 2022 and a low of 984 falling into homeless last November.

While the data shows the efforts to stop homelessness appear to be losing ground, she also has noted that the reports show thousands of people are being housed and acquiring services.

The latest report comes in a week when a few local and statewide homeless initiatives were being announced.

On Tuesday, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved funding for a $300,000 pilot program to create a mobile app that will allow homeless outreach workers, first responders and others to locate, within minutes, available shelter beds for people on the street.

On Thursday, local and statewide representatives from the California State Association of Counties were scheduled to announce AT HOME, described in a press release as a plan to effectively and equitably address homelessness.

According to the press release, the plan will address the lack of a comprehensive homeless plan with clear lines of responsibility and accountability.

Also on Thursday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to announce a new initiative aimed at reducing homelessness. Newsom is scheduled to be in San Diego on Sunday to discuss mental health care reform, which often is associated with homelessness.