CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (July 14, 2025) — Every January, Contra Costa County conducts a Point-in-Time (PIT) count to understand the scope of homelessness in the county. The 2025 PIT count shows significant progress in reducing the number of unhoused individuals.

The survey identified 2,118 individuals, a 26% reduction compared to 2024. Central, East and West County saw decreases of more than 30%, with notable reductions in Martinez (60%), Richmond (46%) and Antioch (40%). These numbers reflect our county’s continued work toward addressing housing insecurity and expanding supportive services.

Since 2023, the county and our partners have worked to increase the number of available beds by 34%, especially through rapid rehousing programs. We have also expanded street outreach efforts, which continue to develop rapport with unhoused individuals and are able to directly connect them with temporary and permanent housing. In January, Next Step Interim Housing and an additional warming center further increased shelter capacity.

The PIT count also offers key insights into who is experiencing homelessness, showing that 60% were unsheltered and 40% sheltered. The population was 58% male and 40% female, with racial demographics of 36% white, 34% Black/African American and 14% Hispanic/Latinx. The survey found that 86% of households had at least one member with a disabling condition, and 22% reported first experiencing homelessness before the age of 18.

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While the PIT count is necessary for the county to receive funding for homeless services from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), it also offers an opportunity to gauge how effective our strategies have been so far. Since many of these programs and projects take time to develop, this year’s count indicates that Contra Costa is making a measurable difference.

This work could not be accomplished without the help of the county’s Department of Information Technology’s Geographic Information Systems (GIS) team, the Contra Costa Continuum of Care (CoC), Contra Costa Health and the volunteer canvassing teams.

For those who wish to learn more, you can find the full 2025 PIT count summary at https://tinyurl.com/PITcount2025.

Ken Carlson is Contra Costa County District IV supervisor. Email questions or comments to Carlson at SupervisorCarlson@bos.cccounty.us or call his office at 925-655-2350.