Santa Clara County officials announced Thursday the county’s
homeless population had dropped by almost 300 people since
2005.
Morgan Hill – Santa Clara County officials announced Thursday the county’s homeless population had dropped by almost 300 people since 2005. The 2007 homeless census and survey found 7,202 people living on the streets or in shelters, down from 7,491 in 2005. San Jose has the largest percentage of the county’s homeless people, with 4,320. Gilroy has the second-largest number, with 660.
“Although there has been a slight decrease in the number of homeless in the county, we won’t be satisfied until that number goes from 7,000 to zero,” said Supervisor Don Gage, who earlier this year established the Blue Ribbon Commission to End Homelessness and Solve the Affordable Housing Crisis.
“We shouldn’t have this many homeless people in our county,” said County Homeless Concerns Coordinator Margaret Gregg, who said the drop from 2005 is statistically insignificant. “We have one of the highest populations of millionaires, which shows the gap between rich and poor.”
The primary reason for homelessness cited by those surveyed was the loss of employment (29 percent). In 2005, alcohol and drug use (21 percent) was listed as the primary cause.
About 19 percent of homeless individuals surveyed said they are currently employed, including 7 percent of homeless people who said they had full-time jobs. About 12 percent said they had part-time jobs.
“Most people think that homeless people do not work,” Gregg said. “The survey tells us that almost 150 of the homeless people are working hard, and yet still unable to make ends meet.”
The survey also shows 78 percent were living in Santa Clara County before they became homeless.
The census showed 2,101 homeless people living in emergency shelters and 5,101 living on the street, in their cars, vans, RVs or in homeless encampments.
Most homeless people surveyed said they were receiving local, state and federal government assistance such as food stamps, Social Security or CalWORKS assistance.
A full copy of the 2007 Santa Clara County Homeless Census and Survey can be found at www.sccgov.org under “Hot Items” or on the Santa Clara County Collaborative’s Web site at www.collabscc.org/html/homeless_census.html.
Staff writer Tony Burchyns can be reached at (408) 779-4106 ext. 201.
