County reports 28% drop in homelessness since 2023; officials credit housing units, prevention and outreach

County leaders and homelessness partners presented their April update and the 2026 Point‑in‑Time (PIT) results. The Continuum of Care‑run count, conducted with more than 400 volunteers, showed an 11.8% decrease from 2025 and a 28% decrease since 2023 in the overall number of people experiencing homelessness; unsheltered homelessness decreased by 34% since 2023.

Kimberly Albers (Homelessness Solutions director) and other presenters said progress is tied to (1) 297 new permanent supportive housing units over the past two years; (2) expanded homelessness prevention funding and rental assistance; (3) encampment resolution paired with outreach and pathways to shelter; and (4) coordinated cross‑sector services, including behavioral health, medical outreach (backpack medicine), navigation centers and transitional options. Tracy McCauley and Housing Authority partners described a strong housing pipeline (more than 1,000 affordable units underway) and the Homekey Plus modular project underway to produce 88 supportive units on county land.

Public and city partners highlighted local declines in unsheltered counts (notably Thousand Oaks, Oxnard and Ventura) where new shelter and services have been implemented. City and county leaders stressed the need to maintain momentum, noting a modest lull in units coming online in 2026 but a stronger pipeline for 2027. The Board received and filed the presentation and asked for continued coordination and reporting.