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Creating Healthy Communities / Reducing Homelessness

Homelessness2025-11-19T12:09:19-08:00

California has the largest population of people experiencing homelessness in the nation1

California does not have enough affordable housing to its low-income population, causing the state to have the highest rate of homelessness in the country. Homelessness forces people to live in unhealthy conditions and is linked to chronic pain and premature mortality.1

Indicator Highlights

People experiencing homelessness have higher rates of chronic health conditions than the general population.2

Unsheltered people in California have a higher risk of exposure to communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis (TB).3

The Housing and Urban Development (HUD) definition of chronically homeless includes the presence of a diagnosable substance use, mental illness, developmental disability, PTSD, cognitive impairment as a result of brain injury, or chronic physical illness for disability.4

When the cost of rent in cities exceeds one third of monthly income, homelessness rates dramatically increase.5

Direct cash assistance programs have been linked to increased housing security.6

Data Snapshot

Low-income Californians are disproportionately impacted by homelessness.8

In 2022, about half of people experiencing homelessness lived in the Los Angeles and South Coast region, and more than 1 in 5 lived in the Bay Area.7

Black, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander populations are overrepresented among people experiencing homelessness in California.7

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1. California State Auditor. (2021). Housing & homelessness. https://www.auditor.ca.gov/issues/briefs/housing-and-homelessness

2. Sutherland, H., Ali, M. M., & Rosenoff, E. (2021). Health conditions among individuals with a history of homelessness. ASPE Research Brief. https://aspe.hhs.gov/reports/health-conditions-among-individuals-history-homelessness-research-brief

3. Liu, C. Y., Chai, S. J., & Watt, J. P. (2020). Communicable disease among people experiencing homelessness in California. Infect., 148, e85. https://doi.org/10.1017%2FS0950268820000722

4. S. 896 The Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act, 42 U.S. Code § 11304.105 et seq. (2009). https://www.hud.gov/sites/documents/HAAA_HEARTH.PDF.

5. Zillow Research. (2018, December). Homelessness Rises Faster Where Rent Exceeds a Third of Income. https://www.zillow.com/research/homelessness-rent-affordability-22247/

6. Kagawa, R., & Choe, D. Yolo County Basic Income (YOBI) Pilot Project: First Year Outcomes. https://www.yolocounty.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/80897/638567434665030000

7. Davalos, M. & Kimberlin, S. (2023, March). Who is experiencing homelessness in California? California Budget & Policy Center. https://calbudgetcenter.org/resources/who-is-experiencing-homelessness-in-california/

8. Kushel, M., Moore, T., et al. (2023). Toward a New Understanding: The California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness. UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative. https://homelessness.ucsf.edu/sites/default/files/2023-06/CASPEH_Report_62023.pdf

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