The 2023 Ventura County Homeless Point in Time Count was conducted on January 24, 2023 in the ten cities and unincorporated areas within Ventura County. People experiencing homelessness were surveyed and observed by the federal definition which includes those living unsheltered or in places not meant for human habitation, as well as those staying in emergency shelters and transitional housing programs on the night of January 23. Approximately 400 volunteers assisted with the unsheltered surveys from dawn until mid-day across the County.
There were 2,441 adults and children who were counted as homeless during the point-in-time count. This number represents an increase of 203 persons or 9.1% when compared to the 2,238 persons who were counted as homeless in 2022. The continued increase in the count can be attributed to several factors, although rising rent costs in the region and limited availability of affordable housing are leading causes. The number of calls for homeless prevention and rental assistance continues to increase across the county-wide homeless services system.
The Point in Time count is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for communities to be eligible for federal grants addressing homelessness. The Ventura County Continuum of Care receives federal and state grant funding each year to provide emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, homeless prevention, street outreach, and permanent supportive housing programs.
The data from the annual count helps determine gaps and trends to help community leaders allocate funding for the highest needs. The full report with details from the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) and other data sources will be released in mid-April 2023.
For more information, please see the executive summary of the 2023 Homeless Count posted on the Ventura County Continuum of Care (VC CoC) website at www.venturacoc.org.
