The Santa Monica Homeless Count 

Homeless counts are mandated every two years by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for all communities that receive federal funds for homelessness programs. Santa Monica's volunteers to conduct acount annually as year-to-year comparisons of data allows us to more accurately track the changes in homelessness and evaluate the success of local efforts. 

The 2013 Homeless Count took place on Wednesday, January 30. This event could not have taken place without the support of the community! Email us for more information on how to get involved or click here to register for the 2013 Count!. 

The 2012 Homeless Count 

The 2012 Count found that Santa Monica’s street census remains flat, and the significant reduction first observed in 2010 has been maintained. The shelter/institution count increased by 6% over 2011, due primarily to a new temporary Upward Bound House Winter Shelter Program for homeless families. 

It is a testament to the efforts of the City and local service providers that the number of homeless individuals on the streets has not increased appreciably despite adverse local and regional conditions that could have significantly increased the count, such as: 

• A sluggish economic recovery which has prevented many low-income households from finding work, and continues to push many households towards the brink of homelessness; 
• The recent closure of the Venice Boardwalk from midnight to 5:00 A.M, which displaced hundreds of homeless individuals in the weeks preceding the count; 
• Last year’s discontinuation of the Eviction Prevention and Rehousing Assistance (EPRA) Program, which provided homeless prevention assistance through federal stimulus funds received by the City. 

Additional noteworthy findings include: 

• Zero families were observed on the streets, which is a significant continuation of previous Count findings; 
• A 16% reduction in people observed in the downtown area indicates that targeted outreach in the area has been effective. 

While new homeless individuals may continue to migrate to Santa Monica, the City’s focus on permanent housing for chronically homeless Santa Monica residents through a Housing-First model contributes to the “no-net gain” of the street homelessness count. 

Results 

• Most importantly, the street homeless population was nearly the same as 2011 (an increase of 2, from 314 to 316 in individuals, vehicles, and encampments counted)
  • 2007 total = 999  
  • 2009 total = 915 (8% reduction from 2007) 
  • 2010 total = 742 (18.9% reduction from 2009 / 25% reduction from 2007) 
  • 2011 total = 740 (sustained the reduction of previous years) 
  • 2012 total = 769 (includes 19 individuals from 5 families participating in the new temporary Upward Bound House Winter Shelter Program) 
   

• The point-in-time homeless count was 769 
• Includes 264 people on the streets, 453 in shelters and institutions, and 52 in cars/encampments. 
• No un-sheltered families were found

• Read the presentation of findings given to the Social Services Commission on February 27, 2012. 

Count Coverage (Courtesy of CityTV) 

Results Coverage (Courtesy of CityTV)