Myths vs. Facts
Are most people here from out of state?
No. 90% lost their last housing in California, and 75% were last housed in the same county.
Is mental illness or addiction the main cause of homelessness?
Behavioral health needs are real, but the leading drivers are high housing costs and low income. Median income before losing housing was $960 per month. Many were rent-burdened.
Do people “choose” the street over help?
41% wanted shelter but could not access it recently. Top barriers include cost, documentation, discrimination, and accessibility.
Would small, targeted cash help actually prevent homelessness?
Yes. 70% said $300-$500 per month would have prevented homelessness. 82% said a $5,000–$10,000 one-time payment would have done so. 96% said a voucher would have kept them housed.
- Source: CASPEH executive summary (PDF)
Does Housing First work?
Yes. Multiple reviews find large reductions in homelessness and better housing stability, with community cost offsets from fewer ER visits, jail stays, and shelter nights.
Do encampment sweeps solve the problem?
Sweeps mostly displace people, often worsening health and breaking connections to care. They also carry legal risks if property is destroyed without due process. The Supreme Court’s Grants Pass (2024) decision lets cities enforce camping rules, but property protections like Lavan v. Los Angeles (9th Cir. 2012) still apply.
Is homelessness even improving anywhere?
Locally, Riverside County reported 3,990 people in the 2025 count and a 19% drop in unsheltered homelessness year over year, tied to coordinated housing efforts. Progress is possible when jurisdictions align housing, services, and prevention.
FIA-SGP 2024 Accountability highlights
- People served at Navigation Center: 2,485 total in 2024; +78.03% Jan→Dec growth.
- Rental arrears prevented: $21,588 to 10 families (avg $2,158; 1.6 months) via EFSP.
- Health plan navigation: 137 IEHP members served; 349 claims submitted; 9 Molina ECM members supported; 4 deposits funded; 7 referrals to Community Supports.
- Housing stability and placements: 80% RRH success rate; 6+ clients placed in permanent housing; 2 master-lease clients transitioned to independent leases; veteran housed with VASH; senior housed post-surgery; 2 foster youth housed.
- IDs and vital records: 7 participants secured IDs, SS cards or state IDs through Life Skills cohorts.
- Public health: 32 vaccination clinics; 33 outreach activities; 3,435 residents engaged; 32 people vaccinated; 26 mammogram sign-ups at health fair.
- Workforce and education: 6 certifications earned (Food Handler, Guard Card); 2 enrollments toward high school diploma; several opened credit-union accounts.
These local outcomes demonstrate that coordinated prevention, navigation and housing supports reduce visible street homelessness when paired with county efforts.
Why not require treatment before housing?
Programs that require sobriety first perform worse than Housing First on reducing homelessness and improving stability. People engage in care more consistently once stably housed.
Can landlords refuse vouchers like Section 8?
No. In California, SB 329 makes source-of-income discrimination illegal. Landlords cannot reject applicants for using vouchers.
Are people working or trying to work?
Workforce connection is hard without housing, but 44% were actively looking for work and 18% had job income during their episode. Barriers include age, disability, transport, and lack of a stable address.
- Source: UCSF BHHI – CASPEH report (PDF)
What actually reduces visible street homelessness?
A mix of low-barrier interim options, rental assistance, permanent supportive housing, and coordinated outreach. Riverside County’s unsheltered drop illustrates what alignment can do.