Hundreds remain chronically homeless in Placer and Nevada counties

(FOX40.COM) — The homeless and unsheltered populations in Placer and Nevada counties saw a slight decrease between the 2023 and 2024 point-in-time counts, according to data from the Homeless Resource of the Sierras.

On Jan. 24 the two counties Continuum of Care offices conducted their point-in-time counts to see who stayed the night in shelters on Jan. 23 and continued their outreach through Feb. 1.

The survey found that in Placer County at least 702 people were experiencing homelessness and 366 people were unsheltered.

In Nevada County, at least 516 people were experiencing homelessness and 258 people were unsheltered.

For Placer County that is a decrease of five people experiencing homelessness and in Nevada County a decrease of 24 people experiencing homelessness.

The survey was conducted with the assistance of 135 volunteers and led by the Homeless Resource Council of the Sierras.

“The data collected each year during the PIT count helps assess the needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness as it drives the types of programs offered, steers funding allocations, and assists the community in better serving our unhoused neighbors. Each number in this count represents an individual or a family who is struggling to find and secure safe housing as well as other services so they can remain housed,” said JoLyn McMillan, Executive Director of the Homeless Resource Council of the Sierras.

Those who would be considered chronically homeless made up a large portion of each county’s homeless population.

“People experiencing chronic homelessness are living with mental illness, substance use disorders, physical disabilities, or other medical conditions; and have been unhoused for one year currently or repeatedly over the last three years,” Homeless Resource of the Sierras writes.

The survey found that a number of veterans, families, youth and young adults were experiencing homelessness including;
• 45 veterans in Placer County
• 14 veterans in Nevada County
• 29 youth between ages 15 and 24 in Placer County
• 11 youth between ages 15 and 24 in Nevada County
• 36 families in Placer County
• 34 families in Nevada County

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