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Monterey County reports 15% drop in overall homelessness, officials warn funding shifts could reverse gains
Summary
County officials said the 2026 point‑in‑time count shows a 15% decline in overall homelessness and a 23% drop in unsheltered homelessness, with large subpopulation decreases; officials cautioned that federal and state funding changes and new HUD proposals could undermine progress.
Monterey County reported significant declines in its 2026 point‑in‑time count but county homeless‑services leaders urged caution because funding rules and program priorities are changing.
"For overall homelessness, we have seen a 15% reduction. And for unsheltered homelessness, we are actually looking at a 23% reduction," said Roxanne Wilson, the county’s homeless services director, as she summarized results the Coalition of Homeless Services Providers compiled. Wilson highlighted steep drops in several subpopulations: veteran homelessness down about 43%, chronic homelessness down about 39%, family homelessness down about 30%, and a 37% decline for unaccompanied children and transition‑aged youth.
County staff noted an especially large decrease (72%) in unincorporated‑area homelessness that they tied in part to targeted encampment‑resolution funding and outreach in places including King City and the Pajaro River corridor. Wilson also cautioned that the King City Homekey site, Casa de Esperanza, opened after the point‑in‑time count and that housing openings can shift the count in later years; officials said they expect any full effects from Casa de Esperanza to show up in the 2028 count.
At the same time, Wilson warned of program and funding headwinds. She said the Continuum of Care renewal guarantee that historically hovered near 95% of annual renewal demand has tightened to about 60% this year and that HUD has proposed rules affecting "mixed households" and other priorities that could reduce access to federally subsidized housing. Wilson also pointed to state initiatives such as CalAIM as one axis of change. The county plans a fuller presentation of the point‑in‑time results to the Board of Supervisors on Aug. 25.
County leaders urged residents to consult the Coalition of Homeless Services Providers for detailed housing inventory counts and said they are continuing interdepartmental coordination across public works, behavioral health, social services and housing partners to maintain services amid uncertain funding.
