Orange County’s Homelessness Count Shows Urgent Need — and a Path Forward

Last month, Orange County completed its biennial Point-in-Time Count, a three-day effort to understand the realities of homelessness in our community.

Volunteers fanned out across neighborhoods, meeting people where they are, counting, and listening to their stories. The information gathered helps local leaders identify needs, track trends, and guide resources to where they can make the greatest difference.

The need remains pressing. In 2025 alone, about 17,000 people in Orange County experienced homelessness, according to United to End Homelessness. During the previous count, the number of unhoused individuals rose nearly 28%, reaching more than 7,300 people countywide. Results from this year’s count are expected in May.

This was the first count since the 2024 Supreme Court ruling in Grants Pass, which allows cities to restrict camping on public property even when people have nowhere else to sleep. In response, several cities in Orange County strengthened anti-camping laws, making it illegal to sleep on sidewalks, park benches, or other public spaces. With enforcement increasing, many worry that more people will be left without shelter, placing additional strain on our community’s systems of care.

The count covered three regions: central Orange County (including Santa Ana and Fountain Valley), northern cities, and southern cities. Volunteers, including service providers and community partners, worked early mornings and evenings to ensure a thorough effort.

Meanwhile, potential federal funding cuts pose additional challenges. Proposed reductions to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Continuum of Care funding could put as many as 1,400 households at risk of losing housing stability.

In the face of these challenges, Grandma’s House of Hope remains a steadfast part of the solution. For more than two decades, we’ve provided safe housing and holistic support to individuals experiencing homelessness — addressing not only the immediate need for shelter, but also the underlying challenges of trauma, mental health, addiction, and long-term stability. The numbers tell only part of the story; the real impact is in lives restored, families reunited, and hope rebuilt.

As Orange County reflects on last month’s count, we are reminded that the work doesn’t end with the numbers. With your support, we continue walking alongside each person on their journey home.