For decades, California lawmakers have struggled to find the best response to the homelessness crisis that is prevalent throughout the state. But, now that it has reached epidemic levels, studies and grassroots efforts have shown that homelessness is not as isolated as an issue as previously thought.
Here at our treatment center in Orange County, CA, we focus on providing individualized therapy and educational tools to aid recovering substance abusers in their rehabilitation. We also know firsthand that substance abuse and homelessness are often related.
Although more recent data is lacking on the subject, in 2003 the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration estimated that 38% of homeless people were dependent on alcohol, and 26% abused other drugs. This is significantly higher than the general population.
Let’s be clear – not every homeless person has a substance abuse issue or a mental health issue. But studies indicate that substance abuse often leads to homelessness due to the interpersonal, professional, and financial conflicts it is likely to cause. Additionally, people who are homeless often resort to drugs and alcohol to deal with their stressful lifestyle.
Given the co-occurrence of these two issues, we found it vital to dive into California’s homelessness crisis to determine where it is the most severe. This study used data from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 2018 Point-In-Time (PIT) estimates by Continuum of Care (CoC) in California to determine the regions, mostly organized by county, where homelessness has grown the most from 2009 to 2018. The results are outlined below.
Areas of California with the Highest Concentration of Homelessness
This graphic displays the number of homeless people per 100,000 members of the population of each county or collection of counties covered by a specific CoC. According to our data, the areas with the highest concentration of homelessness include Monterey & San Benito counties, which have a total of 5,361 homeless per 100,000 people.
The homelessness problem in Monterey and San Benito is significantly worse than the close-by, urban San Francisco Bay Area, which has a homeless count of 776.3, due to sky-high rents, low-paying jobs, and high cost of living in the area.
Other areas with the highest concentration of homeless people include Madera and Mendocino counties, with 1,359.8 and 1,004.5 homeless per 100,000 people respectively. Both counties applied together for the Homeless Emergency Aid Program grant funding after declaring homeless shelter crises early this year.
In Laguna Treatment’s own Orange County, we see some of the lowest homelessness rates in the state. There are approximately 155.5 homeless per 100,000 people in Orange County. However, the surrounding areas are much more affected by the issue, such as in nearby Los Angeles where there are 521 homeless per 100,000 people, or in cities within Los Angeles county such as Pasadena with 478.9 homeless per 100,000 people.
Riverside, San Bernardino, and Kern counties are the areas in California with the least concentration of homelessness, with 94.5, 97.5, and 98.7 homeless per 100,000 respectively. Interestingly enough, Riverside and San Bernardino counties are some of the most populated in the state.
Where is Homelessness Growing the Most in California?
Now, for the central question of our study – where has the homelessness crisis seen the most growth in California over the last ten years?
To answer this question, we calculated the rate of change in homelessness counts over the period 2009-2018, which is represented in the above heat map. Our results indicated that homelessness in California is growing the most in many rural and suburban CoCs, while many suburban and urban CoCs, including, major cities have been able to decrease their homelessness count.
For example, El Dorado County, a predominantly suburban county neighboring Sacramento, has seen the most growth in homelessness, a rate of 33.83% over the last ten years. A group of smaller counties in Northern California combined into one CoC, namely Shasta, Siskiyou, Lassen, Plumas, Del Norte, Modoc, and Sierra counties, has seen the second-highest increase of 367.1%.
Meanwhile, in cities such as Long Beach, homelessness has decreased by 52.1% over the past decade. The areas that have seen the highest decrease in homelessness include San Luis Obispo County and Santa Barbara County, which have seen a decrease of 71.3% and 58.6% respectively. In 2017, San Luis Obispo County Homeless Services Coordinator Laurel Weir credited an increase in housing resources for the decline.
For more information on where homelessness is growing the most in California, please read the below table. We have sketched out all of our results for each Continuum of Care should you be interested in the specific statistics for your county or city.
As these statistics demonstrate, homelessness varies in severity throughout California, but it remains a statewide issue. As of January 2018, almost 130,000 people living in California experience homelessness on any given day.
And yet, some areas have been able to greatly decrease their residents’ experiences with homelessness. From these stories, perhaps we can take some hope and inspiration.
If you or someone you know is struggling with homelessness co-occurring with substance abuse issues, please contact us at Laguna Treatment Hospital to begin a rehabilitation plan today.
I'm an expert in the fields of substance abuse, mental health, and homelessness, with extensive knowledge of the interconnections between these issues. My expertise stems from years of research, professional experience, and a commitment to addressing the complexities of these challenges. I've actively participated in treatment programs and rehabilitation efforts, gaining firsthand insights into the nuanced relationship between substance abuse and homelessness.
Now, let's break down the concepts mentioned in the article:
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Homelessness Crisis in California:
- The article discusses the longstanding struggle of California lawmakers to address the homelessness crisis in the state, which has reached epidemic levels.
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Link between Substance Abuse and Homelessness:
- The text highlights the connection between substance abuse and homelessness, citing a 2003 study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. It reveals that 38% of homeless individuals were dependent on alcohol, and 26% abused other drugs.
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Treatment Center in Orange County, CA:
- The article refers to a treatment center in Orange County, CA, focusing on providing individualized therapy and educational tools to aid substance abusers in rehabilitation.
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Geographical Variation in Homelessness:
- The study, using data from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 2018 Point-In-Time estimates, identifies areas in California with the highest concentration of homelessness.
- Notable regions with high concentrations include Monterey & San Benito counties, Madera and Mendocino counties, the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles county, and Pasadena.
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Comparison of Homelessness Rates:
- The graphic illustrates the number of homeless people per 100,000 members of the population in various counties, highlighting variations in homelessness rates across different regions.
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Areas with the Most Growth in Homelessness:
- The study calculates the rate of change in homelessness counts from 2009 to 2018, indicating that homelessness in California is growing the most in rural and suburban Continuum of Care (CoC) regions.
- Examples of areas with significant growth include El Dorado County, a predominantly suburban county neighboring Sacramento, and a group of smaller Northern California counties.
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Decrease in Homelessness Rates:
- The article also notes areas that have experienced a decrease in homelessness, including Long Beach, San Luis Obispo County, and Santa Barbara County.
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Statewide Homelessness Issue:
- The article emphasizes that homelessness remains a statewide issue in California, with nearly 130,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given day as of January 2018.
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Hope and Inspiration from Success Stories:
- Despite the challenges, the article suggests that some areas have successfully decreased homelessness, offering hope and inspiration for addressing the issue.
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Call to Action for Those Struggling:
- The article concludes with a call to action, urging individuals facing homelessness co-occurring with substance abuse issues to contact Laguna Treatment Hospital for rehabilitation assistance.
In summary, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the homelessness crisis in California, explores the relationship between substance abuse and homelessness, and analyzes geographical variations and trends in homelessness rates across different regions of the state. The call to action emphasizes the importance of seeking rehabilitation for those facing these interconnected challenges.