New federal data reveals that Santa Clara County has the largest homeless population among the nine Bay Area counties, with nearly 39,000 unhoused individuals across the region, 10,394 of whom reside in Santa Clara County.

Shaunn Cartwright, founder of the Unhoused Response Group, noted that the figure is likely underestimated, attributing the high numbers to the rising cost of living in San Jose and the end of COVID-19 eviction protections, which have left many without homes.

Approximately two-thirds of homeless individuals in the Bay Area and the state live on the streets, while the remainder are in shelters. Santa Clara County experienced a 5% rise in homelessness since the last count in 2023, with Contra Costa County seeing a 20% increase, San Mateo a 14% rise, and San Francisco a 10% growth in homelessness.

Advocates for the homeless highlight that mental health and substance abuse issues are exacerbating the crisis. In response, Santa Clara County has made progress in housing more homeless veterans through targeted assistance programs. Robert Aguirre, a long-time resident of Bay Area streets, emphasized the importance of engaging with those directly affected by homelessness to better understand and address the barriers they face.

A new count of unhoused residents in the Bay Area is scheduled for later this month.