Bay City News
The 2024 Point-in-Time Count released this month for San Joaquin County indicated that in two years, the total number of people who experienced homelessness doubled in the county.
The biennial counts, mandated in every state, track the number of unsheltered and sheltered homeless people because those numbers determine how much each county will receive in state and federal funding to address homelessness.
The report differentiated between sheltered versus unsheltered homeless people: sheltered meaning they are residing in a supervised public or privately operated shelter that provides temporary living arrangements, with unsheltered referring to those living in the streets, cars, parks, and with other sleeping arrangements not designed for regular living.
In 2022, San Joaquin County had a total of 2,319 people experiencing homelessness, with 42 percent being sheltered and 58 percent reporting being unsheltered.
Now, in 2024, the total number for the county is 4,732 with 27 percent sheltered and 73 percent unsheltered -- a 104 percent increase from the 2022 numbers, according to the report.
"The 2024 Point in Time Count numbers are not surprising, as they reflect the ongoing struggles of housing affordability and rising inflation," Stockton Mayor Kevin Lincoln said in a statement.
San Joaquin County Supervisor Tom Patti said he too was not surprised by the numbers.
"This issue didn't appear overnight, and it's not self-correcting," Patti said.
According to the PIT count, a general street count occurred Jan. 29 during an early morning count of unsheltered homeless individuals and families. Point in time counts are just that -- a count of people on a specific day and time in a county.
A general street count was taken Jan. 29 in the early morning of unhoused people and families experiencing homelessness.
The general shelter count was conducted Jan. 28 at nighttime of unhoused people staying at publicly and privately-operated shelters including emergency shelters, transitional housing, and safe heavens.
Jessica Velez, advocate for the homeless and founder of Red Rabbit Advocacy Programs, said she believes the number of unhoused people for the PIT count is higher than the number reported.
"I think that when considering homelessness, couch surfing and staying in hotels should also be included, because that's not a home," Velez said.
Red Rabbit Advocacy Programs is a non-profit organization helping the unhoused population access housing resources, community resources, and other support needed to restore their lives.
Outreach teams, staff from local city and county agencies and volunteers participated for more than four hours in an attempt to track the number of people experiencing homelessness throughout the county.
This year's data indicated that Stockton continues to be the city accounting for the highest homeless population in the county despite city efforts.
Lincoln said over the past four years, Stockton and its partners have built 10 emergency shelter projects, nine permanent supportive housing projects and four affordable housing projects.
Upon completion, the projects will add 738 shelter beds and 862 housing units for individuals and families.
Velez said although the city has been building shelters and starting projects many have yet to be completed.
For instance, in 2022 Stockton broke ground on the construction of Navigation Center that was set to make 180 beds available.
The three-story building was going to have dormitories for men, women, families, couples, and allow people to bring their pets with them.
Yet, in 2024 the center has still not reached completion.
Stockton had 2,996 unhoused people, Manteca accounted for 305, Tracy had 200, Lodi had 416, Lathrop 10, Ripon 21, and Escalon had one, according to the count.
The report showed that when people were asked what was keeping them from permanent housing, the top four responses were 54 percent that they couldn't afford any rent, 53 percent said they didn't have a job/not enough income, 28 percent said they didn't have funds for moving costs, and 18 percent did not have transportation.
Lincoln stated that California has among the highest unemployment rates among U.S. states.
"There are nearly one million unemployed Californians, and in recent years, overall prices have increased by more than 20 percent," Lincoln said. "Residents are struggling to make ends meet with skyrocketing costs for groceries, rent, electricity, and car insurance rates up by 52.9 percent."
When it came to demographics such as age and gender in the county who are homeless, people ages 25-34 had the highest percentage rate, making up 25 percent. Closely behind with 20 percent were people 45-54.
According to the count, men make up 60 percent of the unhoused population.
Unhoused people also said that their current health conditions could affect their housing or employment stability: 40 percent said they had abused drugs or alcohol, 36 percent reported psychiatric or emotional conditions, 31 percent suffered from PTSD, 28 percent were physically disabled, and 27 percent had chronic health conditions.
The Stockton City Council is set to hold a public study session on Aug. 27, from 8 a.m. to noon, to discuss policy, legislative and program solutions surrounding public camping and homelessness.
Velez, who also ran for Stockton mayor this year, said people living in the streets need a safe camping and it would need to be ran by someone who has a good relationship with the homeless population.
"If you treat people like adults, then that's the behavior you're going to get back," Velez said. "But, if you treat them like children and try to control and put labels on them, as you know, "all the homeless people are mentally ill or all of them are on drugs" without knowing the demographic, you're not going to be able to service them correctly."
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