Facts &
Resarch

Rising Unsheltered Homelessness:

The number of unsheltered individuals in San Diego County increased by 18% from 2023 to 2024, reaching a total of 6,110 people, according to the Regional Task Force on Homelenessness’ annual Point- in-Time Count.

Source: “2024 PITC- Regional and Cities Breakdown," Regional Task Force on Homelessness

In 2019, nearly 1 out of 4 residents (24.1%) in the North Coastal Region lived below 200% of the federal poverty level. Nearly 1 out of 5 households (18.0%) in North Coastal Region had an annual income of less than $35,000

Source: “San Diego County Self-Sufficiency Standard Brief: Household with Two Adults and Two Children, 2023,” County of San Diego, Health and Human Services Agency, Public Health Services, Community Health Statistics Unit, March 29, 2024.

In a statewide study on homelessness, nearly all participants expressed an interest in obtaining housing, but faced barriers.

Nearly 9 in 10 (89%) participants noted housing costs as a barrier to re- entering permanent housing.

Source: “Toward a New Understanding,” UCSF, CA Statewide Study on Homelessness (2023)

Shelter Capacity Challenges:

The availability of shelter beds has consistently fallen short of the demand. While efforts to place individuals into housing have seen success, the system lacks the necessary resources to assist everyone in need. ​

The number of people experiencing homelessness has always outpaced the number of existing shelter beds. While the response system is successful in placing people into housing, it does not have the resources it needs to serve everyone.

Source: “State of Homelessness: 2024 Edition,” National Alliance to End Homelessness.

Many older adults and families face housing insecurity due to income gaps and a lack of affordable homes.

There are 5.9 million people aged 65 and older living below the poverty level in the US, and many more with incomes barely above it.

This economic vulnerability highlights the need for targeted support to ensure older adults are not left without safe, affordable housing.  

Source: “2023 Profile of Older Americans,” Administration for Community Living, May 2023

In San Diego County, housing accounts for the largest portion of the total budget required to make ends meet.

The income needed to make ends meet in San Diego County is 3.3 times more than the Federal Poverty Level. In fact, the monthly income determined by the Federal Poverty Level would cover just the cost of housing in San Diego County. In 2023, the average amount spent on housing in San Diego County was $2,485 a month. This would leave a family with just over $100 to spend on childcare, groceries, healthcare, transportation, taxes, and any other essential miscellaneous items.

Source: “San Diego County Self-Sufficiency Standard Brief: Household with Two Adults and Two Children, 2023,” County of San Diego, Health and Human Services Agency, Public Health Services, Community Health Statistics Unit, March 29, 2024.

Nearly 1 in 2 women in California report experiencing some form of IPV

In 2023, 1 in 3 women (460,000 individuals) experienced Intimate Partner Violence.

Source: “The Costs of Intimate Partner Violence in California: 2023 Report," Jeni Klugman, Li Li, Jakana Thomas, and Anita Raj

Intimate partner violence survivors face increased risks of chronic health conditions, homelessness, and economic instability.

Women who experienced Intimate Partner Violence in the last year had almost four times the odds of reporting housing instability than women who did not experience Intimate Partner Violence.

Source: “Intimate partner violence and housing instability," Pavao J, Alvarez J, Baumrind N, Induni M, Kimerling R, Am J Prev Med. 2007 Feb; 32(2): 143-6. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2006.10.008. PMID: 17234488.