San Joaquin County’s homeless population is down 30 percent since 2024.
The drop is more significant compared to California as a whole that has experienced only a single digit decline over two years down to 180,000 while some areas such as Los Angeles have seen an increase.
In San Joaquin County overall:
*35% of the homeless overall are sleeping outdoors or on the streets.
*27% in a shelter.
*20% in a vehicle.
*14% in a tent.
*3% in a motel or hotel.
*1% in an abandoned building.
The official Point in Time count of homeless in 2026 compared to 2024 shows:
*Manteca dropped to 237 from 305.
*Tracy dropped to 211 from 200.
*Lodi dropped to 248 from 416.
*Stockton dropped to 1,850 from 2,991.
*unincorporated county areas dropped to 700 from 752.
*San Joaquin County overall dropped to 2,550 from 4,732.
The recently released Point in Time Count & Report conducted by the San Joaquin Continuum of Care shows countywide:
*56 percent of the homeless are unsheltered.
*92 percent were a San Joaquin County resident when they became homeless.
*72 percent have been homeless for a year or more.
*48 percent at the time of the survey indicated it was their first episode of being homeless.
*13 percent have some type of employment.
*48 percent were between the ages of 25 and 44 when they first became homeless.
*15 percent were under 18 years of age when they first became homeless.
*25 percent became homeless due to loss of — or reduction in — their income, 10% due to alcohol or drug use, 9% due to eviction, 8% due to divorce/separation or breakup, 7% due to conflict with other residents, and 5% due to family or domestic violence.
*67% indicated they can’t afford rent which is keeping them from permanent housing, 64% said no job or not enough income is a contributing factor, 21% said no money for moving costs was a factor, and 13% said no available housing was a reason.
*54% of those unemployed were looking for work, 28% unable to work, and 18% not looking for work.
*18% have been in the foster care system.
*19% have spent one or more night in jail during the past year.
*41% are white, 25% are Hispanic, and 16% Black.
*63% are male.
*5% identify as LGBTQ+
Health conditions cited by homeless included;
*46% having psychiatric or mental problems.
*43% chronic health problems,
*40% drug or alcohol abuse.
*39% a physical disability.
*18% a traumatic brain injury.
*1% AIDS/HIV or related illness.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
