Sacramento city and county leaders will meet on Wednesday afternoon to discuss housing and homelessness solutions in the region. The meeting comes after the most recent “point in time” count revealed a 12.7% increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness countywide compared to 2024. While the count found a rise in both the unsheltered and sheltered population, there was a bigger increase in the number of people connected to shelter or transitional housing, Sacramento Steps Forward also said.Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty called the count a “mixed bag” with progress on getting people into shelters and connecting them with services. But there were still “unacceptably high” numbers of those experiencing homelessness and a lack of affordable housing, he said in a statement. The PIT count found unsheltered homelessness has become more dispersed, declining in the city of Sacramento but rising in unincorporated parts of the county and surrounding communities.The city of Sacramento’s 2,463 unsheltered population represented 59% of the total count across the county. But that number was down 19% from 2024, with 590 fewer people.Unincorporated Sacramento County, which represented 27% of the total unsheltered homeless population, had an 103% increase in the ranks of the unsheltered with 579 more people than last counted.About 17% of those surveyed said they became homeless within the past year, while 65% had been experiencing homelessness at least two years.The vast majority of those surveyed, 78%, said they first became homeless while living in Sacramento County.Asked what led to becoming homeless and what Sacramento could do to help led to a wide variety of responses, as respondents gave more than one answer.The leading reason for becoming homeless was because of a job loss or lack of income. Respondents also cited conflict with family or “other,” along with reasons that included eviction, substance abuse and cost of living issues.Less than half of those surveyed believed more affordable housing would resolve their homelessness crisis, though that was the top choice of possible solutions. “Other” was the second leading choice, followed by providing jobs or training, safe ground or parking spaces and more beds at emergency shelters.At Wednesday’s meeting, leaders will hear the results of an independent review of the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency during the meeting. The review includes recommendations to strengthen collaboration, improve housing voucher programs, enhance transparency, and clarify oversight. They will also discuss next steps. The meeting begins at 2 p.m. at 700 H Street, suite 1450. Learn more here. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Sacramento city and county leaders will meet on Wednesday afternoon to discuss housing and homelessness solutions in the region.
While the count found a rise in both the unsheltered and sheltered population, there was a bigger increase in the number of people connected to shelter or transitional housing, Sacramento Steps Forward also said.
Sacramento Mayor Kevin McCarty called the count a “mixed bag” with progress on getting people into shelters and connecting them with services. But there were still “unacceptably high” numbers of those experiencing homelessness and a lack of affordable housing, he said in a statement.
The PIT count found unsheltered homelessness has become more dispersed, declining in the city of Sacramento but rising in unincorporated parts of the county and surrounding communities.
The city of Sacramento’s 2,463 unsheltered population represented 59% of the total count across the county. But that number was down 19% from 2024, with 590 fewer people.
Unincorporated Sacramento County, which represented 27% of the total unsheltered homeless population, had an 103% increase in the ranks of the unsheltered with 579 more people than last counted.
About 17% of those surveyed said they became homeless within the past year, while 65% had been experiencing homelessness at least two years.
The vast majority of those surveyed, 78%, said they first became homeless while living in Sacramento County.
Asked what led to becoming homeless and what Sacramento could do to help led to a wide variety of responses, as respondents gave more than one answer.
The leading reason for becoming homeless was because of a job loss or lack of income. Respondents also cited conflict with family or “other,” along with reasons that included eviction, substance abuse and cost of living issues.
Less than half of those surveyed believed more affordable housing would resolve their homelessness crisis, though that was the top choice of possible solutions. “Other” was the second leading choice, followed by providing jobs or training, safe ground or parking spaces and more beds at emergency shelters.
At Wednesday’s meeting, leaders will hear the results of an independent review of the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency during the meeting.
The review includes recommendations to strengthen collaboration, improve housing voucher programs, enhance transparency, and clarify oversight.
They will also discuss next steps. The meeting begins at 2 p.m. at 700 H Street, suite 1450.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel