The good news: Cities in San Joaquin County have increased the availability of beds for homeless individuals.

The bad news: There is an expectation current economic conditions will likely result in more homeless individuals.

That is part of the conclusion of a San Joaquin County Grand Jury examination of the state of homelessness within the county from 2016 to 2026.

The conclusion also warns of what could be considered an obvious concern — growing economic pressures are likely to reduce state and federal funding that is making it possible for cities to address homeless issues.

The report notes San Joaquin’s eight cities and counties between January 2020 and January 2024 saw unhoused numbers climb from 2,667 to 4,732 Among those, the number of people securing shelter through various programs went from 1,548 to 3,369.

Overall, there were 4,732 homeless in San Joaquin County in 2024 including:

*2,451 in Stockton,

*387 in unincorporated areas of the county,

*262 in Lodi,

*235 in Manteca,

*102 in Tracy,

*21 in Ripon,

*10 in Lathrop and,

*1 in Ripon.

While point in time counts for 2026 for all cities in San Joaquin County wasn’t available when the Grand Jury report was finished, it did note the unofficial point in time count for this year in Manteca was 171.

That reflects roughly a 27 percent drop in Manteca homeless over the last two years.

Manteca currently operates a low barrier navigation center in the parking lot of 555 Industrial Park Drive with 75 beds and various support services.

When all beds are filled, that effectively reduces the number of individuals illegally camping or sleeping on the streets to roughly 100.

The city is in the process of remodeling the 56,000 quare-foot building at 555 Industrial Park Drive into a permanent navigation center with funding for the project covered by state and federal grants.

The city also has applied for funding for The Way Veterans Project to place 15 tiny homes on an under-utilized church parking lot at Roosevelt Avenue and North Street.

The point in time count data painted an overall picture of the homeless population on San Joaquin County as follows:

*62 percent are male while the number of females becoming homeless is growing at a faster pace than males.

*27 percent are over 55 years of age.

*13 percent are under 25 years of age.

*Homelessness crosses all races and ethnicities with the Black/African American community member remaining disproportionately impacted at 19 percent of the overall unsheltered population.

*56 percent have experienced more than one episode of being homeless.

*38 percent of the homeless reported having one or more or the following disabling conditions: 40 percent drug or alcohol abuse, 36 percent psychiatric or emotional issues, 28 percent physical disabilities, and 27 percent chronic health conditions.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com