Homelessness in Riverside County increased 7% in the last two years, while the number of people without shelter totaled a smaller percentage compared with the last point-in-time count, according to data released Thursday.
The county’s 2025 survey counted 3,990 individuals experiencing homelessness, according to the Department of Housing and Workforce Solutions. Point-in-time counts take place every two years. The 2023 survey reported 3,725 people without a steady place to live.
A wide range of volunteers and officials participated in the county’s 2025 homelessness survey in late January, including members of faith-based organizations and churches, civic affairs groups, government agencies, students and many others canvassed county streets to gauge the number of residents displaced, living on the streets, in encampments or in shelter facilities.
Officials touted a 19% drop in unsheltered homelessness. In 2023, 2,441 people experienced unsheltered homelessness, compared with approximately 1,977 this year.
“It is tremendous progress that we have huge reductions, less people living on the streets and more having access to shelters,” Board of Supervisors Chairman Manuel Perez said in a statement. “County, city and nonprofit collaborations have focused efforts and investments that are yielding measurable results. By targeting the root causes of homelessness and expanding access to housing and care, we are helping more residents find stability and hope.”
Shelter bed capacity is up 57% since 2023 and an 11% increase over 2024.
“With more individuals accessing shelter, the reduction in unsheltered homelessness is both meaningful and indicative of system-wide progress,” Department of Housing and Workforce Solutions Director Heidi Marshall said in a statement.
During the January point-in-time count, 879 volunteers located and verified the status of individuals living in cars, under bridges, in encampments, shelter facilities, transitional housing units and other places throughout the county.
The county Continuum of Care, composed of community groups, nonprofit organizations and government agencies, organizes the annual homelessness surveys.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development uses the data from point-in-time counts to determine how to distribute funding for addressing homelessness at the local level. Count data is also used by policy makers to gauge the extent of homelessness nationwide to help determine the effectiveness of policies and efforts to reduce the number of unhoused residents.
The board is slated to review the count figures at its upcoming meeting Tuesday.
More information on the county’s homelessness programs is at hrivcohws.org.
Palm Springs reports 63% homelessness decrease
Palm Springs officials Thursday announced a 63% decrease in homelessness compared with 2023 data. Two years ago 239 people were experiencing homelessness, compared with 88 in January.
A city statement noted $40 million spent to develop the Palm Springs Navigation Center. The nonprofit Martha’s Village and Kitchen operates the facility.
“This incredible news is the result of a strong partnership between the city of Palm Springs, the county of Riverside, Martha’s Village and Kitchen, the Palm Springs Police Department and our hardworking city staff and committed community of stakeholders, who over the last several years have collaborated together to open the Palm Springs Access Center — and now most recently, the new Palm Springs Navigation Center, which is lifting people out of homelessness every day,” Palm Springs City Manager Scott Stiles said in a statement.
The Navigation Center at 3589 McCarthy Road has 80 units for individuals and families, a playground, dog park, computer room, employment and mental health assistance and a cafeteria that serves three meals a day, according to the city.
Next door is the Early Access Facility, offering overnight shelter of up to 50 beds on a first-come, first-served basis, officials said. People seeking shelter must first go to the Palm Springs Access Center at 225 El Cielo Road to receive services.
“When tackling complex problems, it takes a massive effort by all government, nonprofit institutions and neighbors,” Palm Springs police Chief Andy Mills said in a statement. “The result of the point-in-time count verifies that a holistic approach to solving community problems shows great promise. I am proud of PSPD’s effort in this holistic approach and extremely pleased with the results.”
Mayor Ron deHarte issued a statement, saying, “I want to thank our Palm Springs residents and businesses for their patience and support while the City Council and our partners went through the long process of funding and building the Navigation Center.”
He added, “This dramatic reduction of unhoused residents in Palm Springs proves that it has been well worth the wait, and that when we can find solutions to addressing homelessness.”
Riverside homelessness holds steady
Riverside’s homeless population increased marginally in 2025, with 614 unsheltered individuals this year and 605 counted in 2023, according to the city.
Officials characterized this year’s point-in-time count results as reflecting success in stemming the increase of people living on the street, as prior counts showed. The number of unsheltered people spiked to 605 in 2023 from 307 in 2022.
“These data clearly show that our efforts are having a real impact, and we’re moving in the right direction,” Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson said in a statement. “In recent years, with every new homeless count, we saw significant increases, but this year’s numbers show that the population of unsheltered individuals in Riverside has stabilized. That’s progress, and with last year’s Supreme Court decision providing us more tools to address homelessness, the passage of Proposition 36 expanding law enforcement’s ability to respond, and the state’s investment in a new 100-bed psychiatric facility in Moreno Valley, we are better equipped than ever to tackle homelessness head-on and build lasting solutions.”
Volunteers also counted 473 people living in shelter facilities, which officials said was an improvement over previous years when fewer people were in shelters during the count. In 2023, 372 people were in temporary shelter, compared with 398 in 2022. No count took place in 2024.
City officials also noted that 1,687 individuals experiencing homelessness during fiscal year 2023-24 acquired housing. The city’s approaches to reducing homelessness include homelessness prevention efforts, rapid rehousing and permanent supportive and affordable housing initiatives.
“No single approach is going to reduce homelessness,” Mayor Pro Tem Sean Mill said in a statement. “Our city is a model for others around Riverside County to follow in terms of attacking the problem from multiple angles, regardless of whether a person is in danger of slipping into homelessness for the first time or has been homeless for an extended period.”
According to this year’s count data, 21% of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness had been unhoused for less than a year. Data also showed that the main reasons for becoming homeless were disruptions in the home, inadequate income or a job loss. Seniors over 55 were the largest group of people recently becoming homeless.
“This data showed us that one year ago these people experiencing homelessness had a home, a roof over their heads,” City Manager Mike Futrell said in a statement. “We must focus on keeping people from falling into homelessness just as we now focus on those living on the streets, a strategy which will reduce homelessness more effectively in Riverside.”
Information on the city’s homelessness programs is at riversideca.gov/hhs/about/homelessness-action-plan.
