Community Corner
Nearly 7,000 Experiencing Homelessness In Orange County
Volunteers combed more places than ever in January giving a close and realistic count of all homeless residents currently in Orange County.
ORANGE COUNTY, CA — Over two days in January, law enforcement, over 1,000 volunteers and service providers were out in force using electronic tools to map homeless encampments, hangouts and sleeping places of the area's homeless residents across 800 square miles of Orange County.
The count revealed that 6,860 individuals were "experiencing homelessness" and of those, less than half were "sheltered." According to the county a total of 3,961 were considered "unsheltered homeless."
The Point in Time survey was used to create a "snapshot" of what homelessness really looks like in what the county has called "one of the most challenging public policy issues the County of Orange has ever faced," according to Supervisor Andrew Do of the Fifth District.
Find out what's happening in San Juan Capistranofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
According to Chairwoman Lisa Bartlett, Fifth District Supervisor, "The data collected during the Point in Time contains valuable information that the county and our community stakeholders will use to ensure resources are distributed to best serve those experiencing homelessness."
The census of OC's homeless also included a survey questionnaire which over 2,200 people filled out completely, according the County of Orange. The survey was broken into different groups including, among other demographic factors:
Find out what's happening in San Juan Capistranofor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Sheltered vs. un-sheltered status
- Veterans
- Transitional Age youth
- Seniors
- Families
- Substance abuse issues
- Mental health issues
- Physical disability
This could be the most accurate count of OC's homeless population to date, officials say.
The current count shows an increase in homeless across the county, compared to the 2017 survey, however the Point in Time boots on the ground approach could have counted many more than previously noted.
As the report states: "Because of this improved process, methodology and data quality from the use of GIS technology, Orange County’s 2019 Point In Time Count results ensure that Everyone Counts."
This report will be updated - please refresh for the latest information.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.