Sonoma County's point-in-time homeless census shows a significant decrease of 23% in unhoused individuals, totaling 1,952. This marks the lowest count since the surveys started in 2007. The county reports encouraging trends: after a 2024 increase, the numbers have fallen from a peak of 2,996 in 2018. County officials credit effective housing projects and community efforts for this decline, highlighting the importance of both permanent housing initiatives and sustained volunteer work in addressing homelessness in the region.
"It is very encouraging to see progress," said Supervisor Lynda Hopkins, chair of the Sonoma County Board of Supervisors. "This year's count reflects the tireless dedication of County staff, the Continuum of Care volunteers and our community partners, people who are showing up every day to do the hard, human work of addressing homelessness."
Nolan Sullivan, director of the county's Department of Health Services, attributed some of the drop in homelessness to new permanent housing projects for chronically homeless individuals with mental illness, as well as set-asides in affordable housing projects in the county for people experiencing homelessness.
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