Homelessness Data

What is a Homeless Point-In-Time County

A Homeless Point-in-Time (PIT) Count is a census of people experiencing homelessness in a community on a single night, typically conducted every other a year. This count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for all communities receiving federal homeless assistance funds through the Continuum of Care (CoC) program, locally led by the Coalition of Homeless Services Providers.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires a PIT, for several key reasons:

• Assessing the Scope of Homelessness
• Allocating Federal Funding
• Tracking Progress
• Identifying Needs
• Meeting Federal Reporting Requirements
• Supporting Local Planning

The Homeless Point-In-Time Count targets individuals who are experiencing homelessness in accordance with Category 1 of Homelessness, as defined in 24 CFR 578.3:

1. An individual or family who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, meaning:
   • An individual or family with a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not designed for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings, including a car, park, abandoned building, bus or train station, airport, or camping ground;
   • An individual or family living in a supervised publicly or privately operated shelter designated to provide temporary living arrangements (including congregate shelters, transitional housing, and hotels and motels paid for by charitable organizations or by federal, State, or local government programs for low-income individuals); or
   • An individual who is exiting an institution where he or she resided for 90 days or less and who resided in an emergency shelter or place not meant for human habitation immediately before entering that institution;

The PIT does not count people living in crowded housing or in Permanent Supportive Housing.

The County of Monterey uses census data to plan and coordinate our homeless response systems more effectively by helping us make informed decisions about resource allocation, service provision, and program development.

The 2024 Point-in-Time Count revealed that on any given night 2,436 individuals are experiencing homelessness, a 19% increase from 2022. Of those individuals, approximately:

• 77% were experiencing unsheltered homelessness;
• 81% were housed in Monterey County at the time of losing their housing;
• 40% experienced their first episode of homelessness before 25 years of age;
• 17% were in the Foster Care system at some point in their lives;
• 79% reported the inability to afford rent as their primary obstacle from obtaining housing;
• 54% we active looking for work; and
• 78% have been experiencing homelessness for more than 1 year.

The PIT survey also allows respondents to self-report health conditions. Of those conditions, the following was disclosed: (headers in dark blue). 

• 50% had depression;
• 40% suffered from substance use disorder;
• 31% reported having a physical disability;
• 32% had Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; and
• 52% of survey respondents claim to have at least one disabling condition.

Monterey County has seen a substantial increase of chronic homelessness of 19% and a 5% increase of family homelessness since 2022. However, Veteran homelessness decreased by 5%, and Unaccompanied Children and Transition-Aged Youth showed a decrease of 3%.

For the full report, click here