Bay Area Homelessness Up 24% Since 2017

Three months after a Bay Area Council Economic Institute report highlighted the region’s growing homeless problem, new data finds the region now has 35,000 homeless residents, up from 28,200 in 2017. The new data comes from updated point-in-time counts, which are conducted across the United States every two years. The spike was most pronounced in Alameda, Contra Costa, and Santa Clara, each of which saw increases of more than 30 percent. Using current construction methods and approval timelines, providing a home for each of these residents will cost an estimated $15.75 billion, not counting ongoing costs for maintenance and supportive services.

The Bay Area Council is advocating a stronger regional approach to homeless solutions, bolstered by findings from the Economic Institute report that there is little or no coordination among counties in funding, operating and tracking a wide range of disparate programs and services. The Council’s approach echoes that of Gov. Newsom, who this year has dedicated $1.5 billion to supporting regional homelessness solutions. To engage with the Council’s Homelessness Task Force, please contact Vice President Adrian Covert.