A point-in-time count earlier this year of people without housing in Santa Cruz County found an increase of 12% compared to 2025, according to data released by the county this week.
“It’s a little disappointing to see a reversion. We’ve had several years in a row we’ve seen declining numbers,” said county spokesperson Jason Hoppin.
There were 1,648 homeless people in the county in the federally mandated count conducted on Jan. 29 by a group of volunteers who canvassed neighborhoods.
More people also experienced homelessness for the first time: 50% of respondents, up from 40% last year. The vast majority were Santa Cruz County locals: 93% were living in the county before they lost their housing, compared to 78% last year. People who had lived in the county for at least a decade accounted for 70% of respondents.
“These results reinforce the need to invest in integrated health and housing services, as well as low-income housing including for seniors and people with disabilities,” said Robert Ratner, director of the Santa Cruz County Housing for Health Division. “We also need to redouble our homelessness prevention and housing retention efforts.”
Most homeless people counted — 78% — were living without shelter, according to the report. Drug use and unemployment were the two biggest causes of homelessness, according to respondents.
The county’s new methodology, which counted participants of safe parking and safe sleeping programs for the first time, contributed to the higher total, according to the county.
“Santa Cruz County remains committed to preventing homelessness, expanding access to affordable housing and supportive services, and strengthening partnerships across the community,” county officials said in a press release Wednesday.
The statistics come as investment has decreased in state and federal programs to lessen the impacts of homelessness. One example is the Emergency Housing Vouchers rental assistance program, which Santa Cruz County officials said is projected to end in December if the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development does not provide additional funding.
“It’s a very challenging time given some of the state and federal policy changes that we are dealing with,” said Hoppin. “Those are going to be challenges going forward.”
