Recent data reveals California has emerged as a national leader in addressing homelessness, successfully slowing its growth rate while other states continue to struggle with rising numbers. The state has particularly excelled in reducing veteran homelessness, marking the largest decrease nationwide.
According to new Housing and Urban Development (HUD) point-in-time counts, California limited its overall homelessness increase to just 3% in 2024, while the national average surged by 18%. The state's progress in managing unsheltered homelessness has been particularly noteworthy, with an increase of only 0.45% compared to the national growth of nearly 7%.
Governor Gavin Newsom's administration has dramatically expanded shelter capacity, adding 71,000 new beds since taking office - nearly double the number created in the five years before 2019. California now leads the nation with 208,517 year-round shelter beds, marking a 5.7% increase while national numbers declined by 4%.
The state's comprehensive approach includes innovative programs like the Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment (CARE) Court, which helps connect individuals experiencing mental health challenges with treatment and housing services. Additional initiatives focus on behavioral health care transformation and expanded access to mental health services.
"No one in our nation should be without a place to call home," stated Governor Newsom. "While homelessness continues to rise nationwide, we are seeing signs of progress in California. Our strategies are making a positive difference."
The state's progress represents a marked improvement from previous years. Between 2014-2019, California saw unsheltered homelessness increase by approximately 37,000 people. Under current policies, that growth rate has been substantially reduced, demonstrating the effectiveness of recent interventions.
California's success extends beyond just numbers - the state has implemented new accountability measures for local governments and developed comprehensive guidelines for addressing encampments while protecting individual rights. These efforts have positioned California as a model for other states grappling with similar challenges.