Annual count revealed less homeless in San Diego than 2013

SAN DIEGO (CNS) – Fewer people were living on the streets of San Diego
County this past winter, according to the results of an annual one-day count
released this week.

The Regional Task Force on the Homeless also found evidence of fewer
long-term homeless people among the 8,520 without a place to live.

The count that took place in January showed a 4% drop in the
homeless population from last year. More than half were staying in a shelter
run by a social service agency.

The task force found 58% of those surveyed had been homeless for
more than a year, compared to 69% in 2013.

Among other statistics provided by the task force:

— 74% were men, down 1% from the year before;

— 17% were veterans, up 2%; and

— 46% had severe mental health issues and 31% had major
substance abuse problems.

The data also showed that half the homeless had been to an emergency
room in the past year. About 1,350 people volunteered for the early-morning
count, according to the task force.