New federal data reveals California's homeless crisis, while still the largest in the nation, is growing at a markedly slower pace compared to the rest of the United States. The state saw just a 3% increase in its homeless population last year, while national numbers jumped by 18%.
According to recent data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), California reported over 187,000 individuals experiencing homelessness as of January 2024. While this represents the largest homeless population in any state, the modest increase stands in stark contrast to the dramatic rises seen elsewhere, with 22 states recording double-digit growth.
The data highlights California's outsized role in the national crisis, with the state housing nearly a quarter of all unhoused Americans, including 28% of homeless veterans and 44% of chronically homeless individuals. Two-thirds of California's homeless population sleeps outdoors, the highest percentage nationwide, pointing to an acute need for additional shelter capacity.
However, the report also revealed encouraging trends. The state saw an 11% decrease in unaccompanied homeless youth, along with declines in both veteran and chronic homelessness. While family homelessness surged nearly 40% nationally - attributed partly to migrant influxes - California's numbers remained stable.
Governor Gavin Newsom pointed to these improvements as evidence of effective state policies. "We have turned the tide on a decades-long increase in homelessness," Newsom stated, while acknowledging more work lies ahead.
The data comes from HUD's annual point-in-time count, conducted by volunteers and outreach workers who physically count visible homeless individuals on a single night. While this methodology has limitations and may undercount those in hidden locations or temporary housing, it remains a key tool for allocating resources and shaping homeless policies.
Among all states, only six - including Wyoming, Tennessee, and Maine - reported decreases in their homeless populations, making California's relatively modest increase notable in the national context.