2024 PIT Count Reveals Encouraging Trends in Napa City & County's Efforts to Combat Homelessness

NAPA, CA - The recently conducted 2024 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, an annual census of individuals experiencing sheltered and unsheltered homelessness, shows significant progress in addressing homelessness in Napa County. The findings highlight a decline in the overall count of individuals experiencing homelessness, stemming from increased housing-focused services and strategic investments by the City and County of Napa.

According to the preliminary data obtained from the PIT Count, there has been an 18 percent decrease in the overall count of individuals experiencing homelessness in Napa County between January 2023 and January 2024. This decline is particularly noteworthy, as it marks a concerted effort to address the structural factors contributing to homelessness in the region. This decrease also returns the Napa County community to numbers below what existed before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The PIT Count is an annual census conducted to measure the prevalence of homelessness in in each community and collect information on individuals and families in emergency shelters and transitional housing, as well as people sleeping on the streets, in cars, abandoned properties, or other places not meant for human habitation. The data is shared with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and provides valuable data for policymakers, service providers, and advocates to assess the scope of homelessness and allocate resources effectively.

The breakdown of the PIT Count reveals several key insights:

• Sheltered Count Increase: The number of individuals sleeping in emergency shelters has increased by 34 percent compared to the previous year, as a result of significant expansion in emergency shelter capacity.
• Unsheltered Count Decline: Conversely, the count of individuals sleeping in places not meant for human habitation has seen a notable 42 percent decline. This reflects significant progress in providing adequate emergency shelter capacity and permanent housing solutions for individuals experiencing homelessness.
• First Time Homeless: While the overall trends are positive, there has been a concerning increase in the number of individuals experiencing homelessness for the first time. This underscores the ongoing challenges posed by economic and housing market conditions in Napa County.

The City and County of Napa, in collaboration with many community partner agencies, have implemented a range of strategies to address homelessness, focusing on long-term solutions that tackle the root causes of the issue. These efforts include:

• Expanded Shelter Capacity: Through as the opening of the North Napa Center Encampment Resolution Program and the renovation of the South Napa Shelter, over 100 new shelter beds have been added in the last year, providing safe and secure accommodations for those experiencing homelessness.
• Permanent Supportive Housing: Investments in permanent supportive housing, such as the Valley Lodge Apartments and Heritage House, have resulted in over 134 formerly chronically homeless individuals moving into permanent housing. These developments include vital social support services to help residents stabilize and rebuild their lives.
• Collaborative Approach: The City and County have fostered partnerships with various agencies, including nonprofit service partners, healthcare agencies, law enforcement and public safety agencies, and Health & Human Services, to ensure coordinated efforts in connecting individuals to emergency shelter, permanent housing and social support services.
• Pursuing State and Federal Resources: The City and County have actively sought funding opportunities made available by the State of California and Federal Government. This data demonstrates the effectiveness of investing in programs that provide that offer comprehensive service.

The success of these initiatives reflects a coordinated and comprehensive approach to addressing homelessness in Napa County. While challenges persist, the data from the 2024 PIT Count demonstrate tangible progress and offer hope for continued improvement in the years to come.

The findings of the 2024 PIT Count underscore the progress made in addressing homelessness in Napa County, while also highlighting the ongoing challenges that remain. By continuing to prioritize the development of permanent housing solutions and collaborative service delivery, the City and County are committed to creating a more equitable and inclusive community for all residents.

A complete report detailing demographic information and other key indicators will be presented publicly at a joint meeting of the Napa County Board of Supervisors and the Napa City Council on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 2:30 p.m. at the Napa City Council Chambers located at 955 School Street in Napa, as well as made available on the City and County's websites.

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