Homelessness Statistics for Santa Cruz, CA

, California

Total Homeless persons in Santa Cruz County California in 2019

2,167

There are an estimated 2,167 homeless individuals in Santa Cruz County California. That is a -7% change from 2018.

The homelessness statistics listed are collected from HUD and from the Homeless Shelter Directory database for 2019

Sheltered individuals in families

Sheltered individuals in families

196

There are 196 in Santa Cruz that are sheltered together with other family members
Sheltered individuals in families

Unsheltered individuals in families

223

There are 223 in Santa Cruz that - together with other family members - are unsheltered
Sheltered individuals in families

Sheltered individuals

271

There are 196 in Santa Cruz that are sheltered with other family members
Sheltered individuals in families

Unsheltered individuals

1477

There are 196 in Santa Cruz that are unsheltered with other family members
Sheltered individuals in families

Sheltered families

63

There are 63 in Santa Cruz that are sheltered together with other family members
Sheltered individuals in families

Unsheltered families

59

There are 59 in Santa Cruz that - together with other family members - are unsheltered

Total Homeless families in Santa Cruz County California in 2019

122

There are an estimated 2,167 homeless individuals in Santa Cruz County California. That is a -7% change from 2018.

Chronic Homelessness in Santa Cruz County California

Total Chronic Homeless in Santa Cruz County California

354

There are -209 less homeless individuals in Santa Cruz County California than in 2018. That is a -37% drop .

What is Chronic Homeless?

Chronic homelessness refers to people who have found themselves experiencing homelessness repeatedly and is often accompanied with mental ilness or substance abuse.

Chronically homeless individuals have been on the streets for a long time, potentially years.

Sheltered Chronic

Sheltered chronic

91

There are 63 in Santa Cruz that are sheltered together with other family members
Sheltered Chronic

Unsheltered Chronic

263

There are 59 in Santa Cruz that - together with other family members - are unsheltered

Veteran Homelessness in Santa Cruz County California

sheltered_veteran

Sheltered

23

unsheltered_veteran

Unsheltered

128

Total Veteran Homeless

151

There are more homeless individuals in Santa Cruz County California than in 2018. That is a % increase.

Youth Homelessness in Santa Cruz County California

sheltered_youth

Sheltered

18

unsheltered_youth

Unsheltered

590

Total Homeless Youth

608

There are -6 more homeless youths in Santa Cruz County California than in 2018. That is a -1% drop .

Housing Inventory

Total number of beds in Santa Cruz County California

1,236

This figure represents the total number of beds available in all categories of Housing.

Total number of shelters in Santa Cruz County California

5

What are Emergency Shelters?

Emergency Shelters are places where the homeless can find a safe place to stay in case of sudden loss of housing. There are about 279 emergency shelter beds in Santa Cruz County.

What is Transitional Housing?

Transitional Housing are shelters intended to temporarily care for the displaced or chronically homeless population. There are about 182 Transitional Housing beds in Santa Cruz County.

What is Permanent Supportive Housing?

Permanent Supportive Housing is a long-term housing service for the elderly or vulnurable population struggling to stay above the poverty line. There are about 571 Permanent Supportive Housing beds in Santa Cruz County.

What is Rapid Re-Housing?

Rapid re-housing is a short-term rental assistance service with the purpose of helping people obtain housing quickly, increase self- sufficiency, and stay housed. There are about 204 Rapid Re-Housing beds in Santa Cruz County.

Santa Cruz County, California Homeless Shelters and Services

5 Homeless Shelter Listings in Santa Cruz County

Housing Matters

Housing Matters

Santa Cruz, CA

Currently experiencing homelessness? Learn about the resources available from Housing Matters and other community agencies by clicking any of the buttons below. If you would like to reach out dir [...]

Last Updated Ago Added Mar 15, 2021
Pajaro Rescue Mission

Pajaro Rescue Mission

Watsonville, CA

Our emergency services are available 365 days a year. They include        Bilingual Daily Bible services        Shelte [...]

Last Updated Ago Added Dec 8, 2016
Pajaro Valley Shelter Services

Pajaro Valley Shelter Services

Watsonville, CA

The Emergency Shelter is open 24 hours a day and families may reside in the Shelter for a maximum of three months. The Shelter's current capacity is twenty-eight women and children who are generally r [...]

Last Updated Ago Added Jun 16, 2015
The Salvation Army Watsonville CA

The Salvation Army Watsonville CA

Watsonville, CA

The Salvation Army Watsonville Corps serves those in need on daily basis through other social service programs:-- The Corner House, a 18-bed permanent housing facility dedicated to serving [...]

Last Updated Ago Added May 31, 2016
Siena House for Homeless Pregnant Women and Their Babies

Siena House for Homeless Pregnant Women and Their Babies

Santa Cruz, CA

Siena House offers a residential program (a safe haven) designed to provide pregnant women and their babies, who are facing homelessness, with a secure environment fostering health, support, and ed [...]

Last Updated Ago Added Feb 20, 2024

Point-In-Time Count Summary

Total Homeless Total Families Total Chronic Total Veterans Total Youth
2015
SI*
UI*
IFS*
UIF*
Individuals in shelters
Unsheltered individuals
Individuals in families shelters
Unsheltered individuals in families
Individuals in shelters
Unsheltered individuals
Individuals in families shelters
Unsheltered individuals in families
Individuals in shelters
Unsheltered individuals
Individuals in families shelters
Unsheltered individuals in families
335
1148
275
206


S*
H*
Sheltered
Homeless
Sheltered
Homeless
Sheltered
Homeless


93
51


137
375


38
113


21
249
2015 Total 1,964 144 512 151 270
2016
SI*
UI*
IFS*
UIF*
Individuals in shelters
Unsheltered individuals
Individuals in families shelters
Unsheltered individuals in families
Individuals in shelters
Unsheltered individuals
Individuals in families shelters
Unsheltered individuals in families
Individuals in shelters
Unsheltered individuals
Individuals in families shelters
Unsheltered individuals in families
306
1148
299
206


S*
H*
Sheltered
Homeless
Sheltered
Homeless
Sheltered
Homeless


96
51


123
375


33
113


54
249
2016 Total 1,959 147 498 146 303
2017
SI*
UI*
IFS*
UIF*
Individuals in shelters
Unsheltered individuals
Individuals in families shelters
Unsheltered individuals in families
Individuals in shelters
Unsheltered individuals
Individuals in families shelters
Unsheltered individuals in families
Individuals in shelters
Unsheltered individuals
Individuals in families shelters
Unsheltered individuals in families
216
1630
234
169


S*
H*
Sheltered
Homeless
Sheltered
Homeless
Sheltered
Homeless


75
54


58
467


19
217


13
573
2017 Total 2,249 129 525 236 586
2018
SI*
UI*
IFS*
UIF*
Individuals in shelters
Unsheltered individuals
Individuals in families shelters
Unsheltered individuals in families
Individuals in shelters
Unsheltered individuals
Individuals in families shelters
Unsheltered individuals in families
Individuals in shelters
Unsheltered individuals
Individuals in families shelters
Unsheltered individuals in families
281
1630
240
169


S*
H*
Sheltered
Homeless
Sheltered
Homeless
Sheltered
Homeless


80
54


96
467


28
217


41
573
2018 Total 2,320 134 563 245 614
2019
SI*
UI*
IFS*
UIF*
Individuals in shelters
Unsheltered individuals
Individuals in families shelters
Unsheltered individuals in families
Individuals in shelters
Unsheltered individuals
Individuals in families shelters
Unsheltered individuals in families
Individuals in shelters
Unsheltered individuals
Individuals in families shelters
Unsheltered individuals in families
271
1477
196
223


S*
H*
Sheltered
Homeless
Sheltered
Homeless
Sheltered
Homeless


63
59


91
263


23
128


18
590
2019 Total 2,167 122 354 151 608
*Key
  • SI: Individuals in shelters
  • UI: Unsheltered individuals
  • IFS: Individuals in families shelters
  • UIF : Unsheltered individuals in families
  • S: Sheltered
  • H: Homeless

Homelessness Behavioral and Performance Statistics

Avg days* Average Length of Time Homeless (days) Average Length of Time Homeless (days) Average Length of Time Homeless (days) Return rate* Rate People Return to Homelessness in 6 Months Rate People Return to Homelessness in 6 Months Rate People Return to Homelessness in 6 Months 1st time* Number of People who are Homeless for the First Time Number of People who are Homeless for the First Time Number of People who are Homeless for the First Time Temp 2 Perm* Rate People Exit from ES, SH, TH, and RRH to PH Rate People Exit from ES, SH, TH, and RRH to PH Rate People Exit from ES, SH, TH, and RRH to PH Supp 2 Perm* Rate People in PSH and OPH Retain or Exit to PH Rate People in PSH and OPH Retain or Exit to PH Rate People in PSH and OPH Retain or Exit to PH
2015 162 2.6% 976 35.1% 88.2%
2016 188 5.7% 969 39.5% 92.1%
2017 205 2.9% 660 43.5% 100.0%
2018 173 6.5% 1114 28.2% 95.3%
2019 156 4.7% 1465 28.5% 95.4%
*Key
  • Avg days: Average Length of Time Homeless (days)
  • Return rate: Rate People Return to Homelessness in 6 Months
  • 1st time: Number of People who are Homeless for the First Time
  • Temp 2 Perm : Rate People Exit from Emergency Shelters, Supportive Housing, Transitional Housing, and Rapid Re-housing to Permanent Housing
  • Supportive 2 Perm: Rate People in Permanent Supportive Housing and Other Permanent Housing Retain or Exit to Permanent Housing

Resources

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We list thousands of soup kitchens and food banks all across the nation.

Santa Cruz County Homeless Shelters

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