The number of people reported homeless in Orange County increased by 28% in the last two years, according to the latest “point in time count” results released Wednesday by county officials.
This year the county reported 7,322 people reached during the January count said they were experiencing homelessness. The last count in 2022 tallied 5,718 people either living on the streets in Orange County or staying in shelters. Of those surveyed, 328 were veterans, 308 were young adults between 18 and 24 years old, and 869 were seniors ages 62 or older.
This year, 3,149 people were reported as experiencing “sheltered homelessness” meaning they were staying in emergency shelters or other forms of temporary housing. Of that group, 456 were seniors.
The county counted 4,173 people were living on the streets; with 42% identifying as White. The second largest demographic, 36%, said they were Hispanic/Latino.
A little more than three-fourths of the people surveyed by the point in time count reported that their last permanent address was in Orange County.
The count every two years is required by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development, helping determine, officials say, the number of people who are homeless, but also collecting important information on where people gather and more about who they are and their needs, such as how many are families, juveniles, have a disability and such.
The data also plays a significant role in how much funding the county receives from state and federal governments.
Volunteer canvassers and county staff began the January count with people staying in emergency shelters, or other forms of temporary housing. They then took to the streets of Orange County on Jan. 23 through Jan. 25 in the mornings and evenings.
This is a developing story, please check back.
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