A nonprofit serving the coastal unsheltered believes this year’s Point-In-Time Count estimating a 10% population increase of homeless people is likely low while stressing homelessness trends remain unchanged with an aging demographic and more vehicle dwellers.

The results of this February’s Point-in-Time count conducted by the Regional Task Force on Homelessness, a snapshot in time used to estimate the region’s homeless numbers, concluded there are no less than 8,427 individuals experiencing homelessness today living on San Diego’s streets.

“These counts are just an estimate, the best guess,” said Caryn Blanton, board co-chair of homeless service provider Shoreline Community Services, newly headquartered at The Compass Station at 1004 Chalcedony St. in Pacific Beach. “I think that 10% increase estimate is way low. There’s no way that we can get an accurate count. With some people hiding to keep warm, or pooling their money together to get hotel rooms – they don’t get counted.”

Blanton estimated there are somewhere between 300 and 400 individuals living on the street day-to-day in the central beach area, which includes Pacific Beach up through La Jolla Shores. Oddly enough though, she noted the central beach area gets lumped in with Downtown during the Point-In-Time homeless counts.

The unsheltered are drawn to the beach areas every bit as much – and for the same reasons – like those in the mainstream population. “They’re trying to get away from the hustle and the chaos that is Downtown,” noted Blanton adding, “There’s more breathing room. I think we’re unique here (in PB) for a couple of reasons. We’ve got the boardwalk or walking on the beach or at the bay. And we’ve got beautiful parks. Fanuel and Kate Sessions are green, open, spacious, and beautiful areas. And those are public places where anybody can be.”

The homeless demographic in the central beach area has remained pretty constant over the last couple of years as well, as many are living in conditions a little better than on the street.

“I think there are a lot more people living in their vehicles for whatever reason,” Blanton said. “Some of them were evicted from housing, and then couldn’t afford to get back into housing. People have money. But they don’t have enough money to afford housing. And I would say it’s still an aging population here at the beach. And it seems to be more men. They’re making do in their vehicles. That’s their living space.”

Blanton described homelessness for most as a descent, rather than a fall, into living on the street.

“For many, it’s a slow roll into homelessness,” she said. “A man has a house, a wife, and kids and there’s some family disaster. He gets sick and they lose the house and they end up living in a hotel. Then they can’t afford the rent at the hotel and they move into a van. The van brakes down and they’re flat out in the street.”

What’s the solution to improving homelessness along the beachfront, or anywhere else?

“There’s a housing crisis and there truly are almost no places for these people to go,” Blanton concluded. “The first homeless people who get to go (into housing) are the most vulnerable, those who are older or medically or mentally compromised. But now there’s such a growing population of those people, that there aren’t even places for them to go.”

So what’s the ultimate solution to the homelessness dilemma long-term? Blanton said her new messaging revolves around homeless providers doing the best they can to help the homeless deal with the realities of the housing crisis at the moment.

“They’re here, and they’re not going anywhere because there’s nowhere for them to go,” she said. “We need to find compassionate, caring ways to address their needs on a daily basis. The Compass Station opening this week is one answer. But our hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. What happens at 4 p.m. when I shut the door?”

Added Blanton: “There needs to be more places for people to live. That’s the only answer. The longer I’m involved with this (homelessness) the more I see and know that housing is the most important piece.”

POINT-IN-TIME COUNT

The Regional Task Force on Homelessness (RTFH) on May 19 released the topline results from the 2022 WeAllCount Point-in-Time Count, a one-day snapshot of the minimum number of San Diegans living in emergency shelters, transitional housing, safe havens, and on the streets and along riverbeds. Conducted on a February morning, at the tail end of the Omicron COVID-19 wave, this count was completed by 1,400 volunteers across San Diego County.

Overall, the Point-in-Time Count found no less than 8,427 individuals experiencing homelessness across San Diego County, a 10% increase from 2020. It’s critical to understand this is a minimum number. The challenge of finding every person in a car, canyon, or under a bridge, is impossible, but every effort is made to find and engage as many people as possible. This number includes 4,106 unsheltered San Diegans with 4,321 individuals in shelters. Of those surveyed, 85% said they had fallen into homelessness in the region.

The Point-in-Time Count also brought into focus some concerning trends in the homeless population: 2022 saw an increase in families experiencing homelessness, up 56% from 2020. Black San Diegans, who make up under 5% of the total population in San Diego County, made up 24% of the region’s unsheltered homeless population.

While 24% of San Diegans experiencing homelessness were over 55 in both 2020 and 2022, this year’s count showed that 47% of those seniors were experiencing homelessness for the first time, with 57% having a physical disability. The oldest person surveyed living on the street in San Diego County was 87.

“The Point-in-Time Count is about much more than numbers – it’s about people,” RTFH CEO Tamera Kohler said. “Right now too many people are suffering in San Diego. They’re mothers and daughters, fathers and sons. They fell into homelessness due to a lost job, a lost spouse, or some other crisis beyond their control.”