What the Point-inTime survey of Shasta County's homeless population could teach us


Homeless advocates in Shasta and surrounding counties are hoping to learn how many people are living on the streets and in temporary housing — and reasons they landed there — when they fan out next week for a federally-mandated count.

North State agencies that help the homeless will spend a night on the streets, at hotels and at homeless shelters, where they’ll interview people who do not have a roof over their head for the 2025 Point-in-Time census.

One of the project’s goals is to survey as “many unsheltered people as possible,” said Crystal Spencer, executive director of FaithWorks housing and supportive services, and one of the Point-in-Time coordinators.

The Shasta County Point-in-Time homeless count took place Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020. Two places where the volunteer survey-takers went were the Cypress Avenue Bridge and the Henderson Open Space in Redding.

The Shasta County Point-in-Time homeless count took place Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020. Two places where the volunteer survey-takers went were the Cypress Avenue Bridge and the Henderson Open Space in Redding.

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The study isn’t a complete picture of Shasta County homelessness, but it does demonstrate demographic shifts in the homeless population, and issues they face year-to-year. For that reason, it is typically described as a “snapshot” that can look different from year to year.

In 2023, the Point-in-Time count found 533 un-sheltered people, and 480 living in temporary housing: A total of 1,013 homeless people in Shasta County, and 40.18% of all those counted in the seven-county survey.

Advocates believe the number is actually higher, in part because bad weather drove people out of their usual camps on the night the 2023 count was conducted. And in past years, the estimate has been pegged at about 3,000.

But the results are all important because they can help determine how much a community will receive in federal housing money.

Results also provide nonprofits and local governments, with information that helps them identify people most in need and what those needs are. They’re then able to work toward meeting those needs, and getting people off the streets and into stable situations, said count organizers — including executives from some of the North State’s housing and homeless assistance agencies.

Here’s what to know about the count, what planners think they’ll find this year, who might be missing from the census and how you can help.

When is the 2025 Point-in-Time count

Counts happen in a single night in January, usually during the last 10 days of the month. The federal government requires them every other year, although Shasta County in the past has carried them out on a yearly cadence.

Kristen Schreder is chair of the executive board for NorCal Continuum of Care, a consortium of homeless advocates from seven North State counties who host the annual count. She points out:

  • The 2025 census starts Tuesday, Jan. 21, when Good News Rescue Mission staff and other advocates will count people housed at the mission and other facilities.

  • Counting continues on Wednesday, Jan. 22 on the streets. Unsheltered people can also come to New Life Discovery at 1205 Placer St. in Redding to be counted.

Spencer said she’s hoping for clear skies the night of Jan. 21. That’s after nasty weather skewed data gathering during the last count in 2023.

“It was really rainy and cold, which dispersed (homeless) camps. People were spread out seeking any shelter they could find, rather than being at their usual spots” where counters could talk with them, she said.

Volunteers Jennifer Powell, left, and Brandon Thornock interview homeless people under the Cypress Avenue bridge in Redding during the annual Point-in-Time count on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020. Results from the survey are tied to housing funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Volunteers Jennifer Powell, left, and Brandon Thornock interview homeless people under the Cypress Avenue bridge in Redding during the annual Point-in-Time count on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2020. Results from the survey are tied to housing funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Why NorCal Continuum of Care homeless advocates conduct Point-in-Time counts

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires “an annual count of people experiencing homelessness who are sheltered in emergency shelters, transitional housing” and other facilities, and those on the street, according to the City of Redding Housing Division.

That information helps advocates pinpoint causes of homelessness, how long people are on the streets or in a shelter, and “gaps in services.” Then Redding, Shasta County and other North State groups and local governments can direct resources toward filling those gaps, Spencer said.

NorCal Continuum of Care covers Shasta, Siskiyou, Del Norte, Modoc, Lassen, Plumas and Sierra counties.

Some reasons why people become homeless in Shasta County

While situations vary, the 2023 Point-in-Time count found family break ups, drug abuse and displacement due to fires were primary reasons people became homeless in Shasta County, Spencer said.

“I have heard too many heart wrenching stories to count or recall … from illnesses, deaths in the family, folks being the victims of crime, to simply losing a job and everything in between,” she said.

More: More Californians are freezing to death. Experts point to more older homeless people

While we can’t change some of those hardships, we can change how we respond to the people suffering through them, Spencer said. That means separating facts from stereotypes. The count is part of that.

The previous count shattered other stereotypes, including ones that assumes all people on the streets are there because of addiction disorders, and that most are chronically homeless. In fact, 97 (9.58%) of the 1,013 people surveyed reported addiction issues, and 138 (13.62%) reportedly faced chronic homelessness.

What homeless advocates think they’ll learn

Advocates said they hope this year’s census information will help break down a few stereotypes, as did previous Point-in-Time studies.

“A common misconception … is that our local unsheltered populations are flocking in from other areas,” said Spencer. “Surveys reveal that a large percentage have lived in the area for 10 or more years.”

The 2023 Point-in-Time survey found less than 5% of Shasta’s homeless population moved to the county during the six months prior to the study.

More: Redding center a ‘welcoming’ place for homeless people tired of living on the streets

Spencer also said she thinks the number of people housed at the mission, transitional housing and other facilities will be higher than previous counts reported. That’s because Shasta County has made strides in providing resources to combat homelessness, she said.

Based on past counts, the 2025 Point-in-Time count will likely find a large number of single men among the county’s unsheltered homeless population. Part of the reason so many men are homeless could be because there are more services for families and women, and fewer for individuals, according to sociologists and homeless advocates.

Who may not get counted in the Point-in-Time?

“In my experience, youth are typically undercounted,” Spencer said.

She noted HUD’s definition of homelessness doesn’t include people who couch surf or double up in homes. Oftentimes, that’s what young people do, Spencer explained.

More: Newest tiny homes for Redding’s homeless opening soon: ‘Four walls and a locked door’

How to help homeless people stay warm this winter

While organizers recruited volunteers to help with past counts, only staff at North State agencies will conduct this year’s census, Schreder said.

However, anyone can still help with the Continuum of Care’s mission on Jan. 21 and 22.

When people who are unsheltered arrive at New Life Discovery, count planners hope to offer those who need them a warm coat and shoes. People can donate new or gently used coats and shoes at 1205 Placer St. between 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, or at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday; or leave a voicemail at 520-276-1650 if you can’t make those times.

Jessica Skropanic is a features reporter for the Record Searchlight/USA Today Network. She covers science, arts, social issues and news stories. Follow her on Twitter @RS_JSkropanic and on Facebook. Join Jessica in the Get Out! Nor Cal recreation Facebook group. To support and sustain this work, please subscribe today. Thank you.

This article originally appeared on Redding Record Searchlight: Redding homeless advocates prepare 2025 Point-in-Time survey





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