2 CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE JOINT MEETING: GLENDALE CITY COUNCIL AND
GLENDALE HOUSING AUTHORITY
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Note and File the City of Glendale’s 2025 Homeless Point-in-Time Count
1. Council Motion to Note and File the City of Glendale’s 2025 Homeless Point-in- Time Count.
2. Housing Authority Motion to Note and File the City of Glendale’s 2025 Homeless Point-in-Time Count.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Action Item
Approved for June 24, 2025 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Glendale, serving as the collaborative applicant for the Glendale Continuum of Care (CoC), is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to conduct an annual Point-in-Time (PIT) count during the last ten days of January.
Due to wildfires, the 2025 count was postponed and conducted on February 19. The count identified 197 individuals experiencing homelessness in Glendale, a 13% increase from 175 in 2024. This figure includes both 110 sheltered and 87 unsheltered individuals. The PIT count provides a critical snapshot of local homelessness and supports the City’s ability to monitor trends, identify service gaps, and develop targeted housing strategies.
As the legal and fiscal agent for the CoC, the City of Glendale uses this data to inform policy decisions, enhance community outreach, and strengthen its overall homeless response system.
RECOMMENDATION
That City Council and Housing Authority each pass a Motion to note and file the City of Glendale’s 2025 Homeless Point-in-Time Count.
ANALYSIS
The Glendale CoC is one of thirteen CoCs in Southern California officially recognized by HUD. As the local planning body for homelessness, the CoC is responsible for managing federal, state and county funding to support housing and services for individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Under the HUD CoC Program (24 CFR Part 578), the Glendale CoC is required to:
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4 Maintain a Coordinated Entry System (CES) to ensure a fair and efficient access to housing resources.
Administer the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) for data collection and reporting and;
Conduct the annual PIT count to capture a snapshot of current homelessness locally.
The City of Glendale serves as the collaborative applicant and legal and fiscal agent for its local CoC. Since 1996, the City has participated in the annual CoC Program Competition, securing over $66 million in federal funding exclusively for homeless programs. The City is one of only three cities in the County of Los Angeles that operates its own homeless CoC and is eligible to receive CoC funds directly from HUD. All other communities in the County fall under the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA).
Homeless Point-in-Time Count
The CoC is required by HUD to conduct an annual PIT count during the last ten (10) days of January. In 2025, Glendale’s PIT count was rescheduled to February 19 due to January wildfires, which delayed data collection across the region. The count identified 197 individuals experiencing homelessness, a 13% increase from 175 in 2024. The unsheltered population, consisting of people living in places not meant for habitation, rose by 9% to 87 individuals, while the sheltered population, those in emergency shelters or transitional housing, increased by 16%, with 110 individuals counted.
Table 1: Comparison of 2024 and 2025 Homeless Counts
Household Composition and Demographics
Adult-only households represented 61% (120 individuals), a 17% increase from the prior year, while households with children accounted for 39% (77 individuals), a 7% increase.
The number of households experiencing domestic violence has increased by 20% from 20 in 2024 to 24 in 2025. Youth under 18 make up the largest percentage of the shelter homeless population (46%) and are primarily members of families fleeing domestic violence. This aging population represents 25% of the sheltered population and 43% of the unsheltered population and is particularly vulnerable, often facing greater health challenges and limited access to resources, highlighting the need for intensive wrap- around support and intervention. Lastly, of the 87 unsheltered individuals surveyed, 20 (23%) reported having at least one disabling condition-nearly doubled the 12 cases reported in 2024.
Racial/Ethnic Composition
Homeless Point-In-Time Count Sheltered Unsheltered Total 2024 95 80 175
2025 110 87 197
Difference: +16% +9% +13%
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4 Between 2024 and 2025, Glendale’s sheltered homeless population saw a 233% increase in individuals identifying as Black, African American, or African, which may reflect progress in reducing barriers to access. This shift suggests that local programs may be improving in their use of culturally responsive assessments and screenings, allowing more individuals from historically underserved communities to be identified and connected to services. New representation also emerged among American Indian/Alaska Native and Middle Eastern/North African individuals. Meanwhile, Asian and Multiracial individuals were no longer represented in the sheltered count.
Unsheltered Population
The unsheltered population in Glendale experienced notable demographic shifts, including a 23% increase in individuals identifying as Hispanic and a 39% rise among White individuals. Armenian representation tripled, while the number of Black and Asian individuals declined significantly by 61% and 20% respectively. Meanwhile, representation among American Indian Alaskan Native, or Indigenous individuals remained unchanged.
Comparison of Census data with the 2025 PIT count reveals significant racial and ethnic disparities in Glendale’s homeless population. Black residents, who make up just 1.7% of the general population, account for 19% of the homeless count. Similarly, Hispanic individuals represent 17% of the city but comprise 34% of those experiencing homelessness. These disparities reflect broader systemic inequities affecting communities of color. Additionally, some ethnic groups such as Armenians, are classified as White in federal data, yet face distinct social, economic, and cultural barriers that may contribute to their growing presence among the unsheltered population. This highlights the importance of going beyond standard racial categories to better understand and address the unique vulnerabilities within Glendale’s diverse communities. The 2025 PIT count reflects significant demographic shifts, rising needs, and persistent disparities in Glendale’s homeless population. These findings also inform ongoing efforts to refine outreach and services and ensure equitable access to housing for all residents.
Table 2: Comparison of 2020 U.S. Census Data and PIT Results (Race/Ethnicity) Chronic Homelessness
Chronic homelessness increased by 44% in 2025, with 26 individuals identified compared to 18 in 2024. Of those identified in 2025, 17 were unsheltered, nearly triple the number from 2024, when 6 chronically homeless individuals were unsheltered. This data highlights a growing need for targeted interventions to support individuals with long-term housing and mental health resources. It is important to note that, of the 110 sheltered Race/Ethnicity 2020 Census Data PIT Data
White 62.3% 35%
Hispanic or Latino 17.1% 34%
Black or African American 1.7% 19%
Native American or Alaska Native 0.5% 0.3%
Multi-racial 3.4% 0.2%
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4 individuals counted on the night of the survey, only 9 individuals (8%) were identified as chronically homeless. This represents a 25% decrease from the 12 individuals identified as chronically homeless in the 2024 sheltered count. The decrease in chronic homelessness among the sheltered population is likely due to the availability of emergency housing vouchers and more temporary housing options, which have provided a pathway out of homelessness for some individuals
An individual qualifies as chronically homeless if they have experienced homelessness continuously for at least 12 months or have had multiple episodes of homelessness totaling 12 months over the past three years and have a qualifying disability, such as a physical or mental health condition.
First-Time Homelessness
First-time homelessness also became a significant concern: 43% (37) of the unsheltered individuals reported becoming homeless for the first time in Glendale. Strikingly, 62% (23) of them had lived in the city for more than a decade, some for their entire lives, indicating deep community roots among many newly unhoused individuals. Older adults made up a significant portion of the unsheltered population: 37 individuals (49%) were aged 55 or older. Overall, first-time homelessness in Glendale increased by 28% compared to 2024.
Key contributing factors identified include:
Rent Increases:
38% (14 out of 37) of respondents cited rising rent as the primary cause of their homelessness representing a 75% increase from 2024. This highlights the growing impact of housing affordability on housing stability. Unemployment:
Also reported by 32% (12 out of 37) of respondents, unemployment remains a leading cause, though it reflects a 14% decrease from the previous year. The data suggests continued vulnerability among low-income residents, especially those in unstable or low-wage jobs.
Unexpected Illness:
11% (4 out of 37) of respondents reported health-related issues, consistent with 2024 findings. Both physical and mental health challenges remain persistent risks for those on the brink of homelessness.
Divorce or Separation:
Reported by (3 out of 37) 8% of respondents, this factor has decreased by 25% from 2024. While still notable, it appears to be a less dominant contributor compared to prior years.
Limitations of the PIT Count
The PIT count has several limitations that should be considered when interpreting its data.
Conducted on a single night each year, it provides only a snapshot of homelessness and does not capture year-round trends or fluctuations. Its reliance on visual observation and brief interviews can lead to significant undercounts, particularly of individuals in hidden or 52 6
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4 less visible locations. To address these gaps, the HMIS collects ongoing data on individuals entering and exiting homelessness. This continuous data provides valuable context, allowing for better trend analysis and more informed decision-making. For example, in Glendale, annual data consistently shows more unsheltered individuals than are captured in the PIT count. In 2024, the PIT count identified 80 unsheltered individuals, whereas our services reached 1,075 unduplicated individuals over the year. Similarly, the 2025 PIT count recorded 87 individuals, but between January and March 2025 alone, we served 672 unduplicated individuals.
These discrepancies highlight the limitations of relying solely on a one-night count. Many people experiencing homelessness may be missed due to their location or circumstances on that specific night. Its critical to supplement the PIT count with continuous data collection to gain a fuller, more accurate understanding of homelessness and its evolving nature. For the full report and comprehensive analysis, please refer to the (Exhibit 1).
During the PIT count, people experiencing homelessness are asked to complete a survey about their background and needs. Some individuals may not answer all the questions or may choose not to take the survey. To ensure everyone is still counted, HUD provides an extrapolation tool that uses the completed surveys to estimate information for those who didn’t participate fully. This comprehensive PIT report includes data from that tool to give a more complete picture of the those experiencing homelessness in Glendale. (Exhibit 2).
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
After approval from City Council/Housing Authority, the agencies and community will be informed of the 2025 PIT results via the City’s Homeless Services webpage and other online platforms, including social media..
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with this report.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
This item is not a project as defined in CEQA Guidelines section 15378, and thus, is not an activity subject to CEQA. (CEQA Guidelines § 15060(c)(3).)
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
This item is exempt from campaign disclosure requirements.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Alternative 1: Do not approve the Motion to Note-and-File the 2025 Homeless PIT Report Alternative 2: The City Council may consider any other alternative not proposed by staff.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
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4 Submitted by:
Bradley Calvert, Director of Community Development
Prepared by:
Arsine Isayan, Deputy Director, Community Development/Housing Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit 1 2025 Homeless PIT Comprehensive Report
Exhibit 2 2025 Homeless Point-in-Time Count HUD Report Submission