Contra Costa homelessness drops 26 in new count, but most remain unsheltered

Contra Costa County's point-in-time count indicated a 26% drop in homelessness, counting 2,118 individuals in January 2025. The unsheltered population accounted for 60%, down from 1,959 the previous year, while those in shelters slightly decreased. The west and east county areas saw a remarkable 41% reduction in homelessness. Demographically, 36% of the homeless were white and 34% were black, with a significant portion (72%) having lived in the county for over a decade. Many respondents reported losing belongings during forced relocations, with 63% indicating that city workers or police forced them to move.

Additionally, 86% of surveyed households had at least one member with a disabling condition. The county also reported a decline in homeless deaths, dropping from 113 in 2023 to 76 in 2024. These statistics reflect ongoing efforts to address homelessness, despite the high percentage of individuals remaining unsheltered.