WOODLAND, CA (MPG) - The Yolo County Homeless and Poverty Action Coalition (HPAC), a local nonprofit committed to combating homelessness and poverty in Yolo County, released its 2024 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count report that shows an increase.

This initiative is the responsibility of the Yolo County Continuum of Care (CoC), which is currently overseen by the Homeless and Poverty Action Coalition. The report highlights findings from a survey conducted on Jan. 24, providing a snapshot of the community's most vulnerable members. It identifies 942 individuals and families experiencing homelessness in Yolo County on that single day, which represents a notable increase compared to previous years.

Lucas Frerichs, the Yolo County Board of Supervisors chair, responded to the findings: "Yolo County, in line with many counties across California, observed an increase in the Point-in-Time Count following the pandemic. We know there are many factors contributing to homelessness, including the continued lack of affordable housing. The 2024 Point-in-Time Count data offers essential insights into the extent of homelessness in our community. This information is critical for shaping our strategies to effectively combat homelessness and guarantee every resident access to secure and sustainable housing."

The Homeless and Poverty Action Coalition provides leadership on homelessness and poverty in Yolo County, striving to create and sustain a comprehensive, coordinated and balanced array of human services for homeless and low-income individuals and families. As the oversight entity of the Yolo County Continuum of Care, the Homeless and Poverty Action Coalition organizes the Point-in-Time Count to secure funding for nonprofit providers and local governments. This funding is intended to quickly rehouse individuals and families experiencing homelessness while minimizing associated trauma and dislocation.

"The data from the 2024 PIT Count allows us to tailor our services to meet the unique needs of those experiencing homelessness in Yolo County," said Jeneba Lahai, Chair of the Yolo County Homeless and Poverty Action Coalition. "It underscores the collaboration across our community to create meaningful impacts and support our most vulnerable residents."

This effort aligns with Homeless and Poverty Action Coalition’s mission to provide leadership on homelessness and poverty in Yolo County. The Homeless and Poverty Action Coalition envisions creating and sustaining a comprehensive, coordinated, and balanced array of human services for homeless and low-income individuals and families.

In collaboration with the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA), the Homeless and Poverty Action Coalition has developed the 2023-26 Yolo County Plan to Address Homelessness, which outlines the county's strategy to address homelessness through 2026. Additionally, the Homeless and Poverty Action Coalition has established a synergistic working relationship with the Yolo County Commission to Address Homelessness. This partnership supports the goal of the Yolo County Strategic Plan to reduce disparities and enhance the quality of life for residents by improving access to essential services for vulnerable populations.

The 2024 Point-in-Time Count revealed an increase of 196 individuals experiencing homelessness compared to 2022, bringing the total to 942 individuals. This rise reflects ongoing challenges in addressing homelessness within the community, particularly in the face of transitions from COVID-related housing programs. Unsheltered homelessness saw a significant increase, with 255 more individuals living outside in 2024, while sheltered homelessness saw a decrease of 59 individuals.

Geographically, the count highlighted shifts in homelessness across Yolo County. Increases were noted in rural and unincorporated areas, while Davis experienced reductions and West Sacramento maintained stable numbers.

Woodland saw a notable increase in homelessness. The transition from paper forms to tablets with GIS (geographic information system) technology improved accuracy, capturing encampments outside city limits that were previously overlooked and counted within incorporated tallies.

Yolo County's comprehensive strategy for tackling local homelessness and supporting residents in confronting the statewide housing crisis encompasses several key initiatives:

Building and Scaling a Coordinated Access System (CAS): Implementing the Homeless Emergency Assistance, Rapid Transition to Housing, creating navigation assistance, and eviction prevention programs locally to create a streamlined system for accessing homeless services, including food, shelter, clothing, and protection from violence.

Focusing Emergency Shelter and Interim Housing on Rehousing: Utilizing the region’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) to maintain accurate data and improve service delivery.

Increasing Permanent Housing Opportunities: Planning, developing, and sustaining options to meet the housing needs of people facing homelessness.

Expanding Prevention and Diversion Programs: Continuously assessing needs and identifying gaps in services for persons facing homelessness while supporting the planning, funding, and development of services to meet prioritized needs within the county.

Investing in Community Capacity Building and Training: Maintaining a coordinated response among service providers to ensure continuity of services and promoting access to and effective utilization of mainstream human services programs.

Ensuring Adequate Behavioral Health Services: Addressing the behavioral health needs of the homeless population is essential for fostering long-term stability and well-being. In collaboration with community partners, the Health and Human Services Agency has implemented innovative supportive services for residents experiencing homelessness. These efforts include coordinating housing and health-related services for individuals with complex needs, ensuring a holistic approach to care and support.

When considering the numbers in the count, it is important to recognize that they reflect only those identified as homeless within Yolo County on a single day. Many people move in and out of homelessness during the year, so the actual number of people experiencing homelessness in 2024 may be higher than reported. The Point-in-Time count, based on visual observations of unsheltered individuals and groups, as well as a census of people in shelters, provides a snapshot of homelessness at a single point in time. While valuable, County officials note that it may not adequately reflect the total number of people experiencing homelessness throughout the year.

To review the 2024 Point-in-Time Count, please visit www.YoloCounty.org/2024PITCount. For more information about the community effort to address homelessness in Yolo County, visit www.YoloCounty.org/HomelessServices and www.YoloHPAC.org.

Mandated annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Point-in-Time Count plays a crucial role in informing federal, state, and local decision-making. It aids in securing funding, provides detailed demographic insights, and enhances the targeting of services for individuals experiencing homelessness.

Yolo County remains committed to addressing homelessness through ongoing initiatives and partnerships and leveraging insights from the Point-in-Time Count to implement effective, sustainable solutions.