San Bernardino County Point-in-Time Count (PITC) reveals some victories and defeats in number of homeless
The annual San Bernardino County Point-in-Time Count (PITC) reveals a mere one percent increase in homelessness county-wide, but for some Morongo Basin communities, the numbers tell a wildly different story.
San Bernardino County released their annual Point-in-Time Count (PITC) on the number of homeless people (both sheltered and non) county-wide. Overall, the population grew by just one percent compared to a 26 percent increase in 2023 and 6.6 percent in 2022.
Over 500 volunteers conducted the annual in-person count on January 25 of this year. The final report showed the county’s homeless population grew by 42 individuals for a total of 4,237.
Breaking the numbers down locally, the report was more of a good news/bad scenario. Morongo Valley counted an increase of one homeless person, compared to zero the year prior. Landers went the other way – down to zero homeless, compared to two last year. Yucca Valley saw their homelessness decrease by 15 percent, and Joshua Tree also saw a decrease, by 31 percent. Twentynine Palms saw a notable increase of homelessness as it was up 67 percent. The annual count also revealed the presence of four homeless people in Wonder Valley, up from zero the year prior.
The annual San Bernardino County Point-in-Time Count (PITC) included 24 cities that were involved in the training and deployment of volunteers, plus 24 law enforcement agencies that assisted in locating homeless persons. Several non-profit agencies, churches, homeless providers, and county departments also helped.
The full report is available online: https://main.sbcounty.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/80/2024/05/SBC-Point-in-Time-Count-Report-2024-Final.pdf
