The Marin County Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Homelessness and Coordinated Care (HCC) has released its 2024 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, Full Report, which provides more in-depth information and insights on the 1,090 individuals experiencing homelessness — a 3% decrease since 2022.
Conducted every two years, the PIT Count offers a snapshot of homelessness on a single day, capturing both unsheltered and sheltered populations. Using a consistent, proven methodology, the count provides a benchmark for understanding homelessness and includes an in-depth survey reflecting the lived experiences of those facing housing instability.
The Point-in-Time Count methodology used in 2024 had five primary components: a General Count, a Youth Count, a Shelter Count, an Unsheltered Families Count, and a Survey in which a representative sample of 378 people were interviewed in person by peer surveyors and service providers. More information on the methodology of the PIT can be found in the report in Appendix A.
For the first time, this year’s PIT Count included a dedicated section on older adults, a key demographic in Marin’s community. The 2024 full report shows promising outcomes while highlighting both successes and challenges in addressing homelessness across the county.
Highlights from the 2024 PIT Count include:
- A 4% increase in the number of individuals sheltered since 2022.
- A 24% decrease in Chronic homelessness, with 217 individuals identified, compared to 284 in 2022.
- A 32% drop in the number of veterans experiencing homelessness.
- A 12% decrease in the total number of families experiencing homelessness, and a drop in the number of unsheltered families from 41% in 2022 to 34% in 2024.
“Reductions in homelessness among these priority populations signal that our County’s focused approach on those most in need is working,” said Gary Naja-Riese, Director of the Health and Human Services’ Division of Homelessness and Coordinated Care. “The driving force behind this success are our partnerships with community organizations and local leaders, which are getting people off the streets, into stable housing, and providing the foundation for individuals and families to rebuild their lives.”
Highlights from the 2024 PIT survey of clients include:
- Economic issues continue to be the most frequently cited cause of homelessness (39%) as in previous years, signaling the need for continued expansion of affordable housing opportunities.
- First-time homelessness decreased from 41% in 2022 to 27% in 2024.
- 67% of survey respondents have experienced homelessness for one year or more, up from 61% in 2022.
- 62% of survey respondents were living in Marin when they became homeless, down from 78% in 2022.
The PIT full report, a follow-up to the preliminary report in May, also features an analysis of unsheltered individuals by jurisdiction, providing essential data to both municipalities and unincorporated communities on the status of their residents.
The 2024 PIT Count results further reflect Marin’s commitment to expanding partnerships with local communities and agencies in areas such as West Marin that allowed for a more comprehensive outreach effort, identifying individuals and families previously unknown to be homeless due to substandard housing conditions.
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