Monday, the County of Orange (County) and the Orange County Continuum of Care (CoC) announced the results of the Orange County 2026 Point In Time (PIT) Count. When compared to the 2024 PIT Count, Orange County reported a 13.7% decrease in the number of people experiencing homelessness and, for the first time, more people were in shelter than unsheltered.
A total of 6,321 people experiencing homelessness were counted during the 2026 PIT Count. Of the 6,321 people counted, 3,256 people were in an emergency shelter or a transitional housing program and 3,065 people were unsheltered. In comparing 2026 to 2024, there was a 27% decrease in the unsheltered population along with a slight increase of 3% in the sheltered population.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires that all CoC jurisdictions across the nation complete a biennial unsheltered count and an annual sheltered count of all persons experiencing homelessness in the community on a single point in time during the last ten days of January. The Orange County CoC covers the entire geographic area of Orange County, including all 34 cities and unincorporated areas.
In partnership with the Orange County CoC, the County conducted the sheltered count the night of Monday, January 26, 2026. More than 90 emergency shelters and transitional housing programs participated in this effort, providing participant-level information for those staying the night in each program. The unsheltered count was conducted over three days from Tuesday, January 27, 2026, through Thursday, January 29, 2026, to ensure the County’s 800‑square‑mile jurisdiction was canvassed effectively with support of more than 1,300 volunteers.
The 2026 PIT Count used the same methodology as the 2024, 2022 and 2019 PIT Count, providing the most accurate data comparison on the scope of homelessness in Orange County over the last seven years. The 2026 PIT Count collected participant-level data that includes sheltered and unsheltered; household compositions; subpopulations and disabling conditions information, such as substance abuse disorder; serious mental illness and physical disability; among other demographic factors. The information collected through this process was self‑reported and enabled a better understanding of the needs and challenges of people experiencing homelessness.
To see the 2026 Point In Time Count Report, visit ceo.oc.gov/care-coordination/care-coordination-additional-documents.
