California Homelessness Falls Again, Still Above Newsom's 2019 Level
California's unsheltered homelessness dropped 6.5% in January 2026 versus January 2025, and total homelessness fell 3.4% to an estimated 175,836 people, according to preliminary point-in-time count data cited by Gov. Gavin Newsom's office. Since 2024, unsheltered homelessness is down nearly 13% and overall homelessness down 6%, which Newsom attributes to state investments including a $900 million program funneling homeless funds to cities and counties. Despite the gains, about 24,600 more Californians are homeless today than when Newsom took office in 2019. Advocates caution the count may undercount people displaced by increased encampment enforcement, and note recent federal cuts to Medi-Cal and social services could make further progress harder.