Homelessness is on the decline across Mendocino County, except in the tribal communities, according to the latest annual Point-in-Time (PIT) homelessness survey. The survey, conducted in January and released last week, provides a detailed, if imperfect, snapshot of homelessness in the region.
Megan Van Sant, a senior program manager with the Mendocino County Social Services Department, said the total numbers did not reflect the full picture. “Our total homeless count this year was 774 people,” she said. “Of those, 552 were experiencing unsheltered homelessness — living on the streets, in cars, or tents.” The 2024 total represents an increase from the 633 people counted in 2023.
But the apparent rise becomes a decline when the data is broken down by demographic groups. Homelessness among Hispanics dropped 50% compared to last year and is down more than 60% since 2022. White homelessness also fell, decreasing by 14% from last year and by 41% since 2022. In addition, homelessness among blacks fell 30% from last year, and 59% since 2022. Homelessness among people categorized as multiracial fell 65% from last year and 43% since 2022.
The data told a different story for Native American Indians. The count revealed that homelessness in tribal communities more than tripled since last year and has almost quadrupled since 2022. Van Sant noted that this year’s PIT count more accurately reflects the extent of homelessness on tribal lands, thanks to closer collaboration with tribal organizations.
“For the first time, we worked very closely with tribal nations, particularly the Northern Circle Indian Housing Authority,” Van Sant said. “They helped us make connections with tribal communities and ensured that the count covered tribal lands in a coordinated way.”
Priest Martinez of the Northern Circle Indian Housing Authority played a key role in securing cooperation from tribal leadership, which was initially hesitant due to multiple concerns, including the county’s definition of homelessness. “It’s hard for us to say we need to be counted,” Martinez said. “Our people have been dealing with housing insecurity for 172 years. But we worked with tribal leaders to allow the count.”
Martinez emphasized that overcoming the initial reservations was essential for ensuring that homelessness within tribal communities is acknowledged and addressed. However, he noted that definitions of homelessness can vary, especially between federal guidelines and tribal interpretations, which added complexity to the process.
While the PIT count is a critical tool for measuring homelessness, some advocates argue that it underestimates the true number of homeless individuals. The count relies on volunteers and is conducted over a limited time frame, which may not capture all unsheltered people. Still, Van Sant said other indicators also suggest a downward trend in homelessness across Mendocino County.
“I believe we are trending down,” Van Sant said. “I work closely with the homeless community and see many people recovering and getting housed. What the public sees—people living on the streets—doesn’t always reflect the progress being made.”
Housing developments in Fort Bragg and Ukiah, where more than 200 low-income housing units have been built in the past five years, are helping to address the problem. In addition, the county’s Homeward Bound program assists travelers who wish to return to their home communities by providing bus tickets.
Van Sant said the 2024 PIT count establishes a new baseline for future homelessness surveys. “I feel more confident that we did a good job covering the entire county this year. If we can maintain this level of effort, our future trend lines will be more reliable.”
