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Survey shows decline in San Luis Obispo County’s homeless population

May 7, 2024

By KAREN VELIE

San Luis Obispo County’s homeless population dropped by 19% from 2022 to 2024, according to a newly released county preliminary report.

This January, officials counted 1,171 homeless individuals in SLO County. In 2022, the county’s homeless population was 1,448.

Homeless population counts:

  • 2024 – 1,171
  • 2022 – 1,448
  • 2019 – 1,483
  • 2017 – 1,125
  • 2015 – 1,515
  • 2013 – 2,186

In both 2017 and 2024, SLO County experienced heavy rainfall during the winter months, which generally results in lower homeless population counts.

In 2022, then SLO County Homeless Services Coordinator Laurel Weir said in a statement that an increase from the 2017 total was expected because, two years ago, heavy rains impacted the count.

“We expected some increase because heavy rains in 2017 would have caused more people to seek shelter rather than remain in riverbeds and other waterways where they normally would have stayed,” Weir said. “Local agencies also reported an average increase in the number of homeless persons seeking assistance. Many similar communities across California are also seeing a rise in homelessness.”

Among the county’s current homeless population, 797 are unsheltered and 374 are sheltered.

 


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For over $500k in a salary, I’d hope she reduced the population a touch. Give us a break.


4

Could be they moved to less temperate areas of the state, spring is here.


1

Riiiight, another case of believe what I tell you and not reality. Have to justify spending all that tax money somehow, if we just got more money we could improve things even more….


6

In other words, believe the headline and what county “officials” say, and not your eyes.


21

Lets just look out my office window on Higuera, or take my dog for a walk near Froom Ranch, and tell me it’s decreased.


3

So in two years 277 people have stopped being homeless in the county, not counting for those who have remained homeless and just moved to another area and those who passed away, the county conservatively spent 20 million a year on homelessness so it took about $144,404 for each person to become non-homeless. It is way past time to take a serious look at all the taxpayer funds spent on homeless services and have a full forensic accounting of the funds.


31

Even the homeless are leaving California…..


26

You would hope so. It’s far cheaper to live in Missouri or Kansas or Texas. Only problem is you actually have to live in Missouri, Kansas or Texas.


10

So then what is the reason why we all see more homeless than ever, year after year?


Sounds like there must be some fuzzy math or changing definitions, in order claim success and to justify all the money already wasted and the more funding requested.


27

40 Prado draws them from parts unknown


2

Prado doesnt have much turnover. As a past contactor, I saw the same people there for years. I’m not sure of the qualifications to stay, however.


0