Oakland Sees 20% Drop In Homelessness, Alameda County Sees 13% Drop In Latest Count

"Alameda County released its preliminary numbers from its point-in-time homeless census on Monday, and it's mostly good news all around. Oakland saw a very significant 20% in the number of people living on the streets since 2024, while the county as a whole recorded a 13% overall drop. The latest numbers are for sure a relief for local officials, after 2024's point-in-time count saw a 9% rise in homelessness in Oakland, and a smaller 4% drop countywide."

"San Francisco released its preliminary point-in-time count last week and recorded a 4% drop in homelessness in the same two-year span. And while San Francisco changed its methodology for the count this year, conducting the census in the early morning hours instead of at night, Oakland made this switch in 2024 and theirs is therefore a more apples-to-apples comparison."

"Advocates and city officials say the numbers, particularly taken in the context of other cities in the region, reflect the positive results of local programs to prevent new homelessness and to convey people into stable housing. "What's consistent across these communities is they invested dollars into getting people back into housing, says Alex Visotzky, senior California policy fellow with the National Alliance to End Homelessness, speaking to Bay Area News Group."

"Around 1,300 volunteers conducted Alameda County's federally mandated point-in-time count one morning in January, and this year found 8,201 individuals experiencing homelessness, down from 9,450 in 2024. And while Oakland saw a significant drop this year, some of that may be due to peop"

Alameda County reported preliminary point-in-time homeless census results showing a countywide 13% drop in homelessness over the last two years. Oakland saw a 20% increase since 2024, while the county overall declined. The latest count found 8,201 individuals experiencing homelessness, down from 9,450 in 2024. San Francisco reported a 4% drop over the same two-year span, using a methodology change that involved conducting the census in early morning hours instead of at night. Oakland made a similar switch in 2024, supporting more comparable results. Advocates and city officials attributed the declines to local programs that prevent new homelessness and move people into stable housing, while some expressed concern that budget cuts could make improvements temporary.

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