Data collected by county Health, Housing & Homeless Services workers reflects a “meaningful” drop in the number of homeless people in Contra Costa County this year over previous years – 725 fewer people than those counted in 2024.
Although the findings may come as a surprise to residents encountering the unhoused on local streets, they provide a glimmer of hope for a segment of society many feel have been neglected for too long.
Additional findings concluded:
- Homelessness decreased by more than 30% in Central, East and West County.
- Temporary and permanent housing beds increased by 34% since 2023.
- Substantial local progress, including a 60% drop in Martinez, 46% in Richmond and 40% in Antioch.
Contra Costa County released its 2025 Point in Time Count which shows 2,118 people experiencing homelessness – 26% less between 2024 and 2025.
The count took place on January 30 and here is a look at homeless data over the past few years.
2025: 2,118
2024: 2,843
2023: 2,372
According to Contra Costa County Health, 725 fewer people were experiencing homelessness on one given night. Meanwhile, 40% (840) were in shelter beds versus 60% (1,278) who were unsheltered.
Contra Costa County also reported a 34% increase in temporary and permanent housing beds for those without shelter.
Emergency Shelter: 817 (in 2023, it was 665)
Transitional Housing: 291 (in 2023, it was 275)
Rapid Rehousing: 572 (in 2023, it was 294)
Permanent supportive housing: 1,629 (in 2023, it was 1,325)
Other Permanent housing: 478 (in 2023, it was 274)
The county also asked about displacement experiences which include:
In the past year, did police or city workers make you move from where you were staying? 63% said yes.
When you had to move, did you lose any belongings or did official take them? 75% said yes.
Were you offered services when you were required to move? 54% said yes.
I don’t think so.
Raw temperature numbers do not take into account humidity, you know, the “heat index”. In this scenario, the exacerbating factor is the long, long time that the problem was not effectively addressed and not resolved in any measure, largely by the people I voted for. The longer it festers, the worse it seems, despite any small measurable improvement. These “improvements” don’t mean bleep until we feel it!
So we decided to let law enforcement start to enforce laws? Which then lets social workers give help to the addicted and mentally ill? Wowza, we should have tried that years ago!
That seems really really low.
Good site.
OK, that is most certainly a positive for the individuals. Now, how much was the cost per individual to get the result? Not even counting the housing, what are the total budgets for all of the governmental groups involved in the homeless programs divided by the numbers now housed, likely a poor return on investment.
Firestone 11R
I hope it’s true. I don’t think it is but I hope it’s true.
Just back from Arizona and it’s 10 times worse there. Tents everywhere and rent through the roof. It was eye opening.
That way too low.