1 2026 POINT IN TIME SUMMARY
Attachment 1
INTRODUCTION
METHODOLOGY
2026 POINT IN TIME COUNT TOTALS
UNSHELTERED COUNT
SHELTERED COUNT
DEMOGRAPHICS
SUBPOPULATIONS & DISABLING CONDITIONS
HOUSEHOLD STATUS
COMMUNITY TIES: UNSHELTERED ADULTS
EXPERIENCE OF HOMELESSNESS
CITY BY CITY
YEAR BY YEAR COMPARISON
CITY TRENDS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
3 5
6 7
8 9
11 12
13 15
17 18
21 24
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3 INTRODUCTION
© COUNTY OF ORANGE 2026
A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR
OF CARE COORDINATION
Every two years, Orange County comes together as one community to conduct the federally required Point In Time Count. The County of Orange (County) and the Orange County Continuum of Care lead this effort in partnership with all 34 Orange County cities, homeless service providers, law enforcement agencies, and community volunteers in a coordinated effort to better understand and measure homelessness across the county.
Conducted simultaneously across the country during the last ten days of January, with results most often released in Spring, the Point In Time Count results serve as a moment of reflection, as communities consider the progress being made to address homelessness and the work that remains.
The 2026 Orange County Point In Time Count shows a 13.7% reduction in overall homelessness compared to 2024, including a 26.6% reduction in unsheltered homelessness. While no single factor can fully explain fluctuations in a community’s homeless population or conditions, these results reflect the impact of thousands of individuals who found stable housing or avoided homelessness through the robust support, services, and housing provided by the Orange County System of Care.
© COUNTY OF ORANGE 2026 4
Over the past decade, the County, cities, service providers, and community partners have built a comprehensive and coordinated homeless response system designed to meet the diverse needs of individuals and families experiencing or at risk of homelessness. These results reinforce the importance of continuing to invest in proven, evidence-based solutions that help hundreds of individuals and families find stable, permanent housing or avoid homelessness altogether.
For the first time in Orange County’s history, more people experiencing homelessness were staying in emergency shelters and transitional housing than were living unsheltered on the streets and places not meant for human habitation. This milestone reflects both the community’s commitment to expanding access to temporary housing and services, and the willingness of people experiencing homelessness to connect with available support.
It also reinforces what many homeless service providers and street outreach workers working closely with the population see every day:
when people have access to resources like shelter and services, they are willing to engage and work towards improving their situation.
While these results demonstrate meaningful progress, more than 6,000 people in Orange County continue to experience homelessness and remain in need of stable housing and supportive services. Changes in funding, policy and program development directly affect both people experiencing homelessness and the Orange County System of Care’s ability to effectively serve this vulnerable population. Therefore, it is essential that Orange County remains informed and engaged in the critical decisions being made today that will shape future outcomes.
Those decisions should be guided by the knowledge and expertise our community has gained through building a comprehensive and successful homeless service system that has helped many people exit homelessness while improving the overall quality of life throughout Orange County.
INTRODUCTION
Doug Becht
Director of Care Coordination
Unsheltered Sheltered PIT Count Total
0 2,000
4,000
6,000
8,000
3,961
3,057
4,173
3,065
2,899
2,661
3,149
3,256
6,860
5,718
7,322
6,321
TOTAL COMPARISON OF 2019, 2022, 2024 & 2026 POINT IN TIME COUNT
METHODOLOGY
© COUNTY OF ORANGE 2026 5
The Orange County Point In Time (PIT) Count is in compliance with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines. These guidelines provide specific data points to be collected, including but not limited to, information regarding chronic homelessness, disabling conditions, and demographic information such as single adults, families, and specific subpopulations, including veterans, survivors of domestic violence and transitional aged youth. The 2026 PIT Count utilizes the same methodology as the 2019, 2022, and 2024 PIT Counts. By keeping the methodology consistent, parallel comparisons can be made between the four counts.
The methodology for the unsheltered population is a simple canvassing of the entire county by volunteers equipped with ArcGIS maps and a mobile survey application. This methodology identifies people experiencing unsheltered homelessness through surveying people encountered on the street during the count. The survey included questions required by HUD, as well as additional local questions in order to deepen Orange County’s understanding of people experiencing homelessness. Once complete, the County of Orange’s Office of Care Coordination, in partnership with City Net and the Institute for Urban Initiatives, reviews and investigates any discrepancies and redundancies in the data to ensure the final count is accurate. Survey results are then compiled and analyzed for the PIT Count report.
METHODOLOGY
2019 2022 2024 2026
6,321
2026 POINT IN TIME COUNT BY THE NUMBERS
Persons
Persons
Persons
Persons
North:
Central:
South:
2,894
2,919
508
206
245
882
VETERANS
TRANSITIONAL
AGED YOUTH
SENIORS
Persons who served in the
U.S. Armed Forces, National
Guard or Reserves
Persons ages 18 to 24
Persons ages 62 and older
2026 POINT IN TIME
COUNT TOTALS
© COUNTY OF ORANGE 2026 6
140
93 361
VETERANS
TRANSITIONAL
AGED YOUTH
SENIORS
Persons who served in
the U.S. Armed Forces,
National Guard or
Reserves
Persons ages 18 to 24
Persons ages 62 and older
3,065
UNSHELTERED TOTAL
306
1,463
1,296
FIELD TEAMS & MAPS
306
Field teams of volunteers deployed into the community to canvas maps and survey people experiencing
unsheltered homelessness.
479
Maps were canvassed at least twice during each morning
and evening shift of the 2026 Point In Time Count effort. © COUNTY OF ORANGE 2026 7
UNSHELTERED COUNT
66 152
521
VETERANS
TRANSITIONAL
AGED YOUTH
SENIORS
Persons who served in
the U.S. Armed Forces,
National Guard or
Reserves
Persons ages 18 to 24
Persons ages 62 and older
3,256
SHELTERED TOTAL
202
1,456
1,598
© COUNTY OF ORANGE 2026 8
SHELTERED COUNT
VOLUNTEER DEPLOYMENT
1,367
Volunteer shifts completed over the course of the
three-day event, including early morning and late
evening, across Orange County.
894
Volunteers - including nonprofit and faith-based service providers, County and City government, and
representatives from law enforcement - canvassed all
34 cities and County unincorporated areas.
© COUNTY OF ORANGE 2026 9
DEMOGRAPHICS
Age
Unsheltered
3,065 Persons
Sheltered
3,256 Persons
Under 18
1.99%
61 Persons
15.54%
506 Persons
18-24
3.03%
93 Persons
4.67%
152 Persons
25-34
16.25%
498 Persons
12.41%
404 Persons
35-44
28.58%
876 Persons
17.87%
582 Persons
45-54
23.00%
705 Persons
17.94%
584 Persons
55-61
15.37%
471 Persons
15.57%
507 Persons
62-64
4.54%
139 Persons
6.05%
197 Persons
65+
7.24%
222 Persons
9.95%
324 Persons
Notes:
The sex data table replaces previous gender data in alignment with HUD guidance. Sex and gender data collection was not required by HUD for the 2026 Point In Time Count.
Sex
Unsheltered
3,065 Persons
Sheltered
3,256 Persons
Female
28.91%
886 Persons
45.55%
1,483 Persons
Male
71.09%
2,179 Persons
54.45%
1,773 Persons
Notes: Race and ethinicity categories have been combined and expanded to align with HUD guidance for race and ethnicity reporting.
Race and Ethnicity
Unsheltered
3,065 Persons
Sheltered
3,256 Persons
American Indian, Alaska Native, or Indigenous
1.37%
42 Persons
1.11%
36 Persons
American Indian, Alaska Native, or Indigenous &
Hispanic/Latino/a
0.39%
12 Persons
1.87%
61 Persons
Asian or Asian American
5.12%
157 Persons
4.58%
149 Persons
Asian or Asian American & Hispanic/Latino/a
0.13%
4 Persons
0.18%
6 Persons
Black, African American, or African
7.50%
230 Persons
9.98%
325 Persons
Black, African American, or African &
Hispanic/Latino/a
0.33%
10 Persons
0.37%
12 Persons
Hispanic/Latino/a
38.56%
1,182 Persons
20.58%
670 Persons
Middle Eastern or North African
0.55%
17 Persons
1.07%
35 Persons
Middle Eastern or North African &
Hispanic/Latino/a
0.07%
2 Persons
0.00%
0 Persons
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
0.78%
24 Persons
0.92%
30 Persons
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander &
Hispanic/Latino/a
0.16%
5 Persons
0.34%
11 Persons
White
40.00%
1,226 Persons
34.28%
1,116 Persons
White & Hispanic/Latino/a
2.38%
73 Persons
21.59%
703 Persons
Multi-Racial & not Hispanic/Latino/a
2.45%
75 Persons
1.69%
55 Persons
Multi-Racial & Hispanic/Latino/a
0.20%
6 Persons
1.44%
47 Persons
© COUNTY OF ORANGE 2026 10
DEMOGRAPHICS
Notes:
Data only includes adults ages 18 and older. Some adults may identify with more than one subpopulation and/or report more than one disabling condition.
ADULTS
CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS
SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER
PHYSICAL DISABILITY
SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
HIV/AIDS
UNSHELTERED
3,004
41.11%
45.04%
34.82%
32.89%
19.74%
11.35%
1.76%
1,235 Adults
1,353 Adults
1,046 Adults
988 Adults
593 Adults
341 Adults
53 Adults
SHELTERED
2,750
53.78%
26.04%
28.62%
37.85%
0.40%
8.44%
2.22%
1,479 Adults
716 Adults
787 Adults
1,041 Adults
11 Adults
232 Adults
61 Adults
© COUNTY OF ORANGE 2026 11
SUBPOPULATIONS &
DISABLING CONDITIONS
2026 HOUSEHOLD STATUS
Population Description
Unsheltered (2,805)
Households
Sheltered (2,667)
Households
Total (5,472)
Households
Individuals
Households with only
adults age 18 and older
2,767 Households
2,952 Adults
2,384 Households
2,413 Adults
5,151 Households
5,365 Adults
Families
Households with at least
one adult 18 and older
and one child 17 or
younger
37 Families
112 persons in
households:
52 Adults
60 Children
270 Families
829 persons in
households:
337 Adults
492 Children
307 Families
941 persons in
households:
389 Adults
552 Children
Unaccompanied
Minors
Minors, 17 and younger
not accompanied by an
adult
1 Household
1 Minor
13 Households
14 Minors
14 Households
15 Minors
© COUNTY OF ORANGE 2026 12
HOUSEHOLD STATUS
Notes:
SPA refers to Service Planning Area.
This data is based off the 1,918 unsheltered Adults surveyed.
REPORTED CITY WHERE MOST SPENT TIME WHILE HOMELESS
North SPA Central SPA South SPA County
Unincorporated
Outside
Orange
County
Outside
California
Did Not
Answer
City in North SPA
768 Adults, 40.04%
City in Central SPA
766 Adults, 39.94%
City in South SPA
144 Adults, 7.51%
County Unincorporated
39 Adults, 2.03%
Outside Orange County
44 Adults, 2.29%
Outside California
19 Adults, 0.99%
Did Not Answer
138 Adults, 7.19%
0 200
400
600
800 768 766
144
39 44 19
138
90%
in Orange County
© COUNTY OF ORANGE 2026 13
COMMUNITY TIES:
UNSHELTERED ADULTS
REPORTED CITY OF LAST PERMANENT ADDRESS
North SPA Central SPA South SPA County
Unincorporated
Outside
Orange
County
Outside
California
Did Not
Answer
0 200
400
600
800
623
662
132
36 205
130 130
76%
in Orange County
City in North SPA
623 Adults, 32.48%
City in Central SPA
662 Adults, 34.52%
City in South SPA
132 Adults, 6.88%
County Unincorporated
36 Adults, 1.88%
Outside Orange County
205 Adults, 10.69%
Outside California
130 Adults, 6.78%
Did Not Answer
130 Adults, 6.78%
Notes:
Community Ties data is based off the 1,918 unsheltered Adults surveyed. For Current Employment Status, respondents were able to select multiple responses. A total of 1,984 responses were received.
Full-Time, Part-Time,
Seasonally Employed
264 Adults, 13.31%
Retired, Disabled
267 Adults 13.46%
Other
66 Adults, 3.33%
Did Not Answer
126 Adults, 6.35%
Unemployed
CURRENT
EMPLOYMENT
STATUS
1,261 Adults, 63.56%
© COUNTY OF ORANGE 2026 14
COMMUNITY TIES:
UNSHELTERED ADULTS
Currently working or
have ever worked
in Orange County
1,122 Adults
58.50%
Have family in
Orange County
1,026 Adults
53.49%
Attending or have
attended school
in Orange County
746 Adults
38.89%
© COUNTY OF ORANGE 2026 15
EXPERIENCE OF
HOMELESSNESS
0 200
400
600
800
1,000
990
387
145
206
38 22
130
REPORTED MAJOR FACTORS THAT WERE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT
IN CONTRIBUTING TO HOMELESSNESS
Financial
Factors
Relationship
Factors
Systemic
Factors
Health &
Safety
Factors
Environmental
Factors
Did Not
Answer
Financial Factors
990 Adults, 51.62%
Relationship Factors
387 Adults, 20.18%
Systemic Factors
145 Adults, 7.56%
Health & Safety Factors
206 Adults, 10.74%
Environmental Factors
38 Adults, 1.98%
Did Not Answer
130 Adults, 6.78%
Other
22 Adults, 1.15%
Other
Definitions
Financial Factors can include loss of job, reduced income, high living costs, lack of affordable housing, insufficient public benefits.
Relationship Factors can include an argument with family and/or friends, divorce or breakup, unsafe conditions like domestic violence, changes in household composition.
Systemic Factors can include racial or gender
discrimination, landlord problems, lack of tenant rights, discharge from jail, hospital, or rehabilitation program without a housing plan.
Health and Safety Factors can include medical crisis,
physical health condition, mental health conditions, or substance use.
Environmental Factors can include natural disasters like fires or floods, air pollution, climate-related displacement. 52%
Financial Factors
Notes:
This data is based off the 1,918 unsheltered Adults surveyed. 0 100 200 300 400 500
173
250
442
421
203
85 119
28 40
157
51 - 54
55 - 61
62 - 64
65+
Did Not
Answer
45 - 50
35 - 44
25 - 34
18 - 24
Under 18
AGE WHEN FIRST HOMELESSNESS EXPERIENCE BEGAN
65+
40 Persons, 2.09%
55 - 61
119 Persons, 6.20% 28 Persons, 1.46%
51 - 54 62 - 64
85 Persons, 4.43%
Did Not Answer
157 Persons, 8.19%
25 - 34
442 Persons, 23.04%
Under 18
173 Persons, 9.02% 250 Persons, 13.03%
18 - 24 35 - 44
421 Persons, 21.95% 203 Persons, 10.58%
45 - 50
© COUNTY OF ORANGE 2026 16
EXPERIENCE OF
HOMELESSNESS
Experiencing homelessness for
the first time in the past 12 months
762 Adults
39.73%
Notes:
This data is based off the 1,918 unsheltered Adults surveyed.
City Unsheltered Sheltered Total
Anaheim 541 891 1,432
Brea 41 0 41
Buena Park 128 210 338
Cypress 23 10 33
Fullerton 162 143 305
La Habra 35 0 35
La Palma 21 0 21
Los Alamitos 7 10 17
Orange 215 140 355
Placentia 27 145 172
Stanton 81 18 99
Villa Park 1 0 1
Yorba Linda 5 0 5
County Unincorporated 9 0 9
Domestic Violence Program N/A 31 31
North Service Planning Area 1,296 1,598 2,894
City Unsheltered Sheltered Total
Costa Mesa 63 73 136
Fountain Valley 44 0 44
Garden Grove 218 149 367
Huntington Beach 143 154 297
Newport Beach 8 15 23
Santa Ana 714 601 1,315
Seal Beach 10 0 10
Tustin 32 346 378
Westminster 175 0 175
County Unincorporated 56 18 74
Domestic Violence Program N/A 100 100
Central Service Planning Area 1,463 1,456 2,919
City Unsheltered Sheltered Total
Aliso Viejo 6 0 6
Dana Point 15 0 15
Irvine 49 0 49
Laguna Beach 29 57 86
Laguna Hills 6 0 6
Laguna Niguel 20 0 20
Laguna Woods 17 0 17
Lake Forest 50 18 68
Mission Viejo 15 0 15
Rancho Santa Margarita 6 0 6
San Clemente 74 39 113
San Juan Capistrano 10 0 10
County Unincorporated 9 39 48
Domestic Violence Program N/A 49 49
South Service Planning Area 306 202 508
© COUNTY OF ORANGE 2026 17
CITY BY CITY
© COUNTY OF ORANGE 2026 18
YEAR BY YEAR
COMPARISON
Service
Planning Area
2022 Total 2024 Total 2026 Total
# % # % # %
North 2,419 42.31% 3,227 44.07% 2,894 45.78%
Central 2,714 47.46% 3,454 47.17% 2,919 46.18%
South 585 10.23% 641 8.75% 508 8.04%
Total 5,718 7,322 6,321
Service
Planning Area
2022 Unsheltered 2024 Unsheltered 2026 Unsheltered
# % # % # %
North 1,113 36.41% 1,646 39.44% 1,296 42.28%
Central 1,522 49.79% 2,036 48.79% 1,463 47.73%
South 422 13.80% 491 11.77% 306 9.98%
Total 3,057 4,173 3,065
Service
Planning Area
2022 Sheltered 2024 Sheltered 2026 Sheltered
# % # % # %
North 1,306 49.08% 1,581 50.21% 1,598 49.08%
Central 1,192 44.80% 1,418 45.03% 1,456 44.72%
South 163 6.13% 150 4.76% 202 6.20%
Total 2,661 3,149 3,256
TOTAL COMPARISON OF 2022, 2024 & 2026 POINT IN TIME COUNT COMPARISON OF 2022, 2024 & 2026 UNSHELTERED COUNTS BY SERVICE PLANNING AREA COMPARISON OF 2022, 2024 & 2026 SHELTERED COUNTS BY SERVICE PLANNING AREA Subpopulations & Disabling
Conditions
2022 Unsheltered
2,936 Adults
2024 Unsheltered
4,074 Adults
2026 Unsheltered
3,004 Adults
Chronic Homelessness 55.07%
........1,617.Adults........
38.44%
.........1,566.Adults........
41.11%
.........1,235.Adults........
Substance Use Disorder 41.45%
.........1,217.Adults........
49.85%
.........2,031.Adults........
45.04%
.........1,353.Adults........
Physical Disability 32.19%
.........945.Adults........
31.42%
.........1,280.Adults........
34.82%
1,046 Adults
Serious Mental Illness 29.53%
.........867.Adults........
30.68%
.........1,250.Adults........
32.89%
.........988.Adults........
Developmental Disability 14.27%
.........419.Adults........
17.43%
.........710.Adults........
19.74%
593 Adults
Domestic Violence 9.84%
.........289.Adults........
10.01%
.........408.Adults........
11.35%
.........341.Adults........
HIV/AIDS 1.77%
52 Adults
...........2.26% .........
.........92.Adults........
1.76%
53 Adults
UNSHELTERED COMPARISON OF 2022, 2024 & 2026 POINT IN TIME COUNT -
SUBPOPULATIONS & DISABLING CONDITIONS
SHELTERED COMPARISON OF 2022, 2024 & 2026 POINT IN TIME COUNT -
SUBPOPULATIONS & DISABLING CONDITIONS
Notes: Data only includes adults 18 and older. Some adults may identify with more than one subpopulation and/or report more than one disabling condition.
Subpopulations & Disabling
Conditions
2022 Sheltered
.2,060 Adults.
2024 Sheltered
.2,557 Adults.
2026 Sheltered
.2,750 Adults
Chronic Homelessness 38.40%
.........791.Adults........
34.30%
.........877.Adults........
53.78%
.........1,479.Adults........
Substance Use Disorder 20.19%
.........416.Adults........
23.46%
.........600.Adults........
26.04%
.........716.Adults........
Physical Disability 24.85%
.........512.Adults........
29.88%
.........764.Adults........
28.62%
.........787.Adults........
Serious Mental Illness 28.06%
.........578.Adults........
35.31%
.........903.Adults........
37.85%
.........1,041.Adults........
Developmental Disability ............1.89% ..........
........39.Adults........
.0.20%
5.Adults
0.40%
11 Adults
Domestic Violence 10.97%
.........226.Adults........
10.40%
.........266.Adults........
8.44%
.........232.Adults........
HIV/AIDS ..........3.74% ..........
..........77.Adults........
6.84%
.........175.Adults........
2.22%
61 Adults
© COUNTY OF ORANGE 2026 19
YEAR BY YEAR
COMPARISON
Population 2022 Unsheltered 2024 Unsheltered 2026 Unsheltered Individuals
2,806 Households
2,806 Adults
3,747 Households
3,993 Adults
2,767 Households
2,952 Adults.
Families
94 Families
251 persons in
households:
130 Adults
121 Children
56 Families
180 persons in
households:
81 Adults
99 Children
37 Families
112 persons in
households:
52 Adults
60 Children
Unaccompanied Minors 0 Households 0 Households
1 Household
1 Minor
UNSHELTERED COMPARISON OF 2022, 2024 & 2026 POINT IN TIME COUNT - HOUSEHOLD STATUS TOTAL COMPARISON OF 2022, 2024 & 2026 POINT IN TIME COUNT - HOUSEHOLD STATUS SHELTERED COMPARISON OF 2022, 2024 & 2026 POINT IN TIME COUNT - HOUSEHOLD STATUS Notes:
For Household Decriptions refer to page 12.
Population 2022 Sheltered 2024 Sheltered 2026 Sheltered Individuals
1,672 Households
1,704 Adults
2,159 Households
2,195 Adults
2,384 Households
2,413 Adults
Families
295 Families
950 persons in
households:
356 Adults
594 Children
291 Families
948 persons in
households:
362 Adults
586 Children
270 Families
829 persons in
households:
337 Adults
492 Children
Unaccompanied Minors
7 Households
7 Minors
6 Households
6 Minors
13 Households
14 Minors
Population 2022 Total 2024 Total 2026 Total
Individuals
4,478 Households
4,510 Adults
5,906 Households
6,188 Adults
5,151 Households
5365 Adults
Families
389 Families
1,201 persons in
households:
486 Adults
715 Children
347 Families
1,128 persons in
households:
443 Adults
685 Children
307 Families
941 persons in
households:
389 Adults
552 Children
Unaccompanied Minors
7 Households
7 Minors
6 Households
6 Minors
14 Households
15 Minors
© COUNTY OF ORANGE 2026 20
YEAR BY YEAR
COMPARISON
North Service Planning Area
COMPARISON OF 2022, 2024 AND 2026 POINT IN TIME COUNT - CITY BY CITY *Notes:
Twelve cities in the North Service Planning Area jointly fund two regional shelters located in the Cities of Buena Park and Placentia to serve individuals experiencing homelessness in the North Service Planning Area.
© COUNTY OF ORANGE 2026 21
NORTH SPA: CITY TRENDS
City 2022 Unsheltered 2024 Unsheltered 2026 Unsheltered 2022 Sheltered 2024 Sheltered 2026 Sheltered Anaheim 485 601 541 589 816 891
Brea 24 82 41 0 0 0
Buena Park* 85 186 128 181 193 210
Cypress 28 46 23 0 6 10
Fullerton 202 208 162 70 226 143
La Habra 45 76 35 0 0 0
La Palma 8 17 21 0 0 0
Los Alamitos 4 1 7 9 3 10
Orange 134 214 215 116 155 140
Placentia* 31 37 27 167 145 145
Stanton 62 169 81 148 37 18
Villa Park 0 0 1 0 0 0
Yorba Linda 4 3 5 0 0 0
County Unincorporated 1 6 9 0 0 0
Domestic Violence Program N/A N/A N/A 26 0 31
North SPA Total 1,113 1,646 1,296 1,306 1,581 1,598
City 2022 Total 2024 Total 2026 Total
Anaheim 1,074 1,417 1,432
Brea 24 82 41
Buena Park* 266 379 338
Cypress 28 52 33
Fullerton 272 434 305
La Habra 45 76 35
La Palma 8 17 21
Los Alamitos 13 4 17
Orange 250 369 355
Placentia* 198 182 172
Stanton 210 206 99
Villa Park 0 0 1
Yorba Linda 4 3 5
County Unincorporated 1 6 9
Domestic Violence Program 26 0 31
North SPA Total 2,419 3,227 2,894
Central Service Planning Area
COMPARISON OF 2022, 2024 AND 2026 POINT IN TIME COUNT - CITY BY CITY *Notes:
The cities of Newport Beach and Costa Mesa jointly fund a shelter in Costa Mesa to serve those experiencing homelessness in their cities. The shelter beds funded by Newport Beach are reflected in their sheltered count.
The cities of Fountain Valley, Garden Grove and Westminster jointly fund a shelter located in the City of Garden Grove to serve individuals experiencing homelessness in their cities. © COUNTY OF ORANGE 2026 22
CENTRAL SPA: CITY TRENDS
City 2022 Unsheltered 2024 Unsheltered 2026 Unsheltered 2022 Sheltered 2024 Sheltered 2026 Sheltered Costa Mesa* 150 218 63 58 79 73
Fountain Valley 38 114 44 0 0 0
Garden Grove* 278 163 218 113 76 149
Huntington Beach 188 173 143 142 260 154
Newport Beach* 96 71 8 0 0 15
Santa Ana 508 871 714 482 557 601
Seal Beach 8 29 10 0 0 0
Tustin 86 88 32 232 335 346
Westminster 159 288 175 0 0 0
County Unincorporated 11 21 56 36 14 18
Domestic Violence Program N/A N/A N/A 129 97 100
Central SPA Total 1,522 2,036 1,463 1,192 1,418 1,456
City 2022 Total 2024 Total 2026 Total
Costa Mesa* 208 297 136
Fountain Valley 38 114 44
Garden Grove* 391 239 367
Huntington Beach 330 433 297
Newport Beach* 96 71 23
Santa Ana 990 1,428 1,315
Seal Beach 8 29 10
Tustin 318 423 378
Westminster 159 288 175
County Unincorporated 47 35 74
Domestic Violence Program 129 97 100
Central SPA Total 2,714 3,454 2,919
South Service Planning Area
COMPARISON OF 2022, 2024 AND 2026 POINT IN TIME COUNT - CITY BY CITY © COUNTY OF ORANGE 2026 23
SOUTH SPA: CITY TRENDS
City 2022 Unsheltered 2024 Unsheltered 2026 Unsheltered 2022 Sheltered 2024 Sheltered 2026 Sheltered Aliso Viejo 13 6 6 4 5 0
Dana Point 27 24 15 0 0 0
Irvine 60 50 49 0 0 0
Laguna Beach 28 46 29 55 54 57
Laguna Hills 12 36 6 0 0 0
Laguna Niguel 29 48 20 0 5 0
Laguna Woods 7 22 17 0 0 0
Lake Forest 65 104 50 11 0 18
Mission Viejo 26 34 15 2 1 0
Rancho Santa Margarita 7 6 6 0 0 0
San Clemente 81 65 74 50 36 39
San Juan Capistrano 65 47 10 0 3 0
County Unincorporated 2 3 9 0 0 39
Domestic Violence Program N/A N/A N/A 41 46 49
South SPA Total 422 491 306 163 150 202
City 2022 Total 2024 Total 2026 Total
Aliso Viejo 17 11 6
Dana Point 27 24 15
Irvine 60 50 49
Laguna Beach 83 100 86
Laguna Hills 12 36 6
Laguna Niguel 29 53 20
Laguna Woods 7 22 17
Lake Forest 76 104 68
Mission Viejo 28 35 15
Rancho Santa Margarita 7 6 6
San Clemente 131 101 113
San Juan Capistrano 65 50 10
County Unincorporated 2 3 48
Domestic Violence Program 41 46 49
South SPA Total 585 641 508
The County of Orange’s Office of Care Coordination, in partnership with City Net, project lead for the unsheltered count, and OC United Way, project lead for the sheltered count, extends its sincere gratitude to the many organizations, agencies, and community members who contributed to the successful planning and implementation of the 2026 Point In Time Count. A special thank you to the Institute for Urban Initiatives, technical assistance consultant, that supported in the development of the methodology and adherence to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) guidelines for the Point In Time Count.
Completing the Point In Time Count is a complex and highly coordinated logistical effort that relies on strong collaboration across the community. Street outreach providers, community-based organizations, city law enforcement agencies and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department played a critical role by sharing information on known hotspot locations and areas to be canvased to help ensure everyone experiencing homelessness was counted. Faith-based leaders, community-based organizations and local stakeholders donated gift cards, hygiene kits, and snack kits to be used by volunteers when conducting surveys during the count. Volunteers from across Orange County dedicated their time and energy over the course of three days, participating in early morning and late evening shifts to support this important effort. Participants included members from the Orange County Board of Supervisors, Commission to Address Homelessness, the Orange County Continuum of Care Board, executive directors and leadership staff from homeless service providers, city elected officials, community partners, and CalOptima Health leaders, whose participation further demonstrates their commitment to addressing homelessness in Orange County. Additionally, over 90 emergency shelter and transitional housing programs collected client-level information and local questions that contribute to this dataset.
This effort is not only time intensive, but also a costly endeavor that was made possible with the financial support provided by CalOptima Health’s Housing and Homelessness Incentive Program grant to the Office of Care Coordination. CalOptima Health has continually demonstrated a commitment to addressing homelessness in Orange County through innovative partnerships, active community engagement, and strategic investments. The results of the 2026 Point In Time Count will help the community evaluate the progress to date and inform future efforts across the region.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
© COUNTY OF ORANGE 2026 24
Thank you to the entire Orange County community for coming together and supporting the 2026 Point In Time Count!
THE COUNTY OF ORANGE
COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICE | CARE COORDINATION
400 W. CIVIC CENTER DRIVE
SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA
(714) 834 – 5000
CEO.OC.GOV/OFFICE-CARE-COORDINATION