Fewer people were counted as homeless in SLO County again this year. See data

Homelessness in San Luis Obispo County declined over the past two years, newly released results from the bi-annual Point-In-Time Count showed.

The 2026 Point-In-Time Count was conducted by more than 260 volunteers in January, taking a one-night snapshot of sheltered and unsheltered homelessness in San Luis Obispo County.

The 2026 count identified 1,118 individuals experiencing homelessness, 666 of those unsheltered, according to a news release from the county.

That figure marked a 5% decrease from the previous 2024 count and a 22% reduction since 2022, according to the release.

This year, for the first time since the implementation of the county’s five-year plan to reduce homelessness by 50%, more people exited the system than became homeless for the first time, the county reported earlier this year.

Most importantly, unsheltered homelessness declined by 42% between 2022 and 2026. Over that same period, the number of homeless individuals at emergency shelters rose from 258 to 402, and the number of people in transitional housing rose from 34 to 50, according to the release.

The county listed the following highlights from the 2026 count:

• Total homelessness decreased 5% since the 2024 PIT Count.
• Unsheltered homelessness declined 17% since 2024 and 42% since 2022.
• Shelter utilization increased, reflecting expanded emergency shelter and transitional housing capacity.
• Veteran homelessness declined by 47% since 2024.
• 25 homeless service projects contributed data to the sheltered count.

“These results show what is possible when local governments, nonprofit organizations, healthcare providers, law enforcement and community partners work toward a common goal,” Board of Supervisors chair Jimmy Paulding said in the release. “Reducing homelessness requires both compassion and accountability.”

“While there is still much more work ahead, this report demonstrates that thoughtful investments of resources and data-driven decisions are helping us move the needle on this issue and improving the quality of life in communities throughout our county,” he continued.

In the release, the county also outlined several challenges the homeless services system has yet to fully address.

Nearly a third of individuals counted in 2026 met the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s definition of chronic homelessness, and behavioral health conditions were a prevalent issue among surveyed individuals, according to the release.

Demand for permanent supportive housing also continues to outpace available resources, and as such expanding permanent supportive housing, strengthening behavioral health partnerships, improving housing placement processes and increasing collaboration with education partners remain priorities for the Continuum of Care, according to the release.

“Our work is far from complete,” county adult and homeless services branch deputy director Linda Belch said. “The data reminds us that while many individuals are successfully moving indoors, those remaining unsheltered often face the greatest barriers to housing, including chronic homelessness, serious behavioral health conditions and complex medical needs.”

“Continued collaboration and sustained investment remain essential,” she concluded.