What the Homeless Count Does Not Mean
May 20, 2025
It was the good news city and county leaders were hoping for but not necessarily expecting.
The news you’re hearing about the number of people who were homeless during the annual point in time count as it is called early in the year, was down by several hundred…the first actual drop in the county for a few years.
While it is good news, it was a snapshot count and it doesn’t mean we don’t still have a major problem when it comes to homelessness.
All you have to do is look around, in downtown San Diego and in the other cities and even unincorporated areas of the county. There are thousands of people still living near freeway ramps, in parks, in front of and in back of buildings.
That’s because the problem of homelessness is very hard if not impossible to completely solve.
A San Diego Union Tribune story this week about one man who was helped by police find shelter and how long it took and what it involved is an example of how difficult it is.
While creating more shelters and more affordable housing is important, along with the ongoing help from non-profit organizations, solving the homeless problem is going to take doing more about doing something about the root causes that involve mental health, addictions, family structures and faith.
(Photo reporting partner 10News)