Data from the Tucson Pima Collaboration to End Homelessness provides a snapshot of a growing population experiencing homelessness in Pima County since 2018, but also offers initial indications that efforts to reduce overall homelessness in the region after a period of rapid growth during the pandemic are beginning to pay off.
The 2023 Annual Homeless Point-in-Time count identified 2,209 people in 1,666 households residing in shelter, transitional housing, or living without shelter in Pima County the night of Jan. 23.
According to TPCH, the local organizer of the survey, the total count was up 60% from 2018, representing an increase of about 829 people over five years.
For the first time since 2019, the 2023 count of people in temporary shelter locations increased by 22%, totaling 708 persons, and the unsheltered count decreased by 9%, totaling 1,501 persons, with 148 fewer unsheltered persons than in 2022.
The survey also found decreased rates of homelessness among many vulnerable populations.
Youth households saw the greatest decrease in homelessness with 163 youth under the age of 25 experiencing homelessness on the night of Jan. 24, down 39% from 2022, and down 6% from 2018. Veteran homelessness also decreased this year by 31% from 2022, but remains 47% percent higher than 2018 numbers.
Rates of homelessness among single adults, however, increased for the fifth consecutive year, according to TPCH, with a total of 1,413 unsheltered single adults identified in the 2023 count. The number of chronically homeless persons has also more than doubled since 2018, with 77% of chronically homeless persons unsheltered on the night of the 2023 count.
“The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented strain on our homelessness response system. Although we have a long way to go, the positive momentum over the past 12 months highlights the importance of continued community collaboration and innovation to address the crisis of unsheltered homelessness facing our region,” said TPCH Board Chairperson, Jocelyn Muzzin.
This survey was supported by the efforts of more than 200 community volunteers, government agencies, and partnering non-profit staff, under the leadership of the Tucson-Pima Collaboration To End Homelessness.
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