San Diego County Unveils New Dashboard for Homelessness Data

San Diego County has launched a new interactive dashboard to provide detailed statistics on homelessness in unincorporated communities such as Lakeside, Alpine, and Fallbrook. This initiative aims to enhance transparency regarding the number of individuals receiving support through various programs, including safe parking lots and the Regional Homeless Assistance Program, which aids residents in securing local motel accommodations. In December 2023, nearly 590 individuals accessed some form of assistance.

Dijana Beck, director of the County Office of Homeless Solutions, emphasized the importance of sharing this information openly. “By sharing this data, we’re not only demonstrating progress but also inviting collaboration to strengthen solutions for our most vulnerable residents,” she stated.

The dashboard is part of a broader effort to track homelessness across the region. While the Downtown San Diego Partnership monitors individuals sleeping outdoors in the urban core—a number that has shown an increase—the San Diego River Park Foundation has reported a decrease in those living along waterways. Additionally, local schools documented 19,841 children without a stable address during the last academic year. Despite these efforts, regular updates specifically for unincorporated areas have been lacking until now.

In September 2023, the County Board of Supervisors unanimously supported a proposal from Supervisor Jim Desmond to enhance data reporting on homelessness. The newly available dashboard is located on the Office of Homeless Solutions’ website, where users can explore a variety of statistics pertaining to local initiatives. For instance, information on the “Local Rental Subsidy Program” reveals that several vouchers intended to help individuals temporarily cover rent remain unused.

The dashboard also features details about the Encampment Resolution Fund, which has assisted 151 individuals living near waterways in locating housing options. In addition to the dashboard, the county is releasing monthly reports summarizing homelessness statistics for all unincorporated areas. The most recent report, covering December 2023, indicated that outreach workers supported 213 individuals living outdoors or in vehicles. This figure excludes those who declined offers of assistance.

The count of 213 unsheltered homeless individuals aligns closely with figures obtained from recent point-in-time counts, a method employed annually to assess the crisis. The results for this year’s count are still being finalized. Furthermore, the county’s report highlighted that 96 individuals became newly homeless in unincorporated neighborhoods during December. In contrast, 115 individuals exited homelessness in the area, although it remains unclear how many may have simply relocated to nearby communities.

County spokesperson Tim McClain clarified in an email that out of those who ceased being homeless, 81 individuals secured some form of housing or shelter, while the remaining 34 people either continued to experience homelessness or lost contact with their case managers.

The online dashboard is accessible to the public at [sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/sdhcd/OHS/ProgramDashboard.html](https://sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/sdhcd/OHS/ProgramDashboard.html). This tool reflects San Diego County’s commitment to addressing homelessness transparently and effectively, providing a clearer picture of the ongoing challenges and enabling community collaboration to support those in need.