Downtown Homeless Count Decreases

Through the efforts of the Downtown Sacramento Partnership’s Homeless Outreach Navigators and community partners, the downtown homeless population* point in time count has decreased by 33% over the last 5 years.

New partnerships and innovative problem solving has attributed to the decline. “We are building our program around solving homelessness, not servicing the homeless,” said DSP Director of Community Services, Dion Dwyer. “We are focusing our outreach on key chronically homeless individuals and connecting them with the resources that include permanent housing solutions.”

The DSP team is also working with public and private partners at the hospitals and the main jail to put an end to the revolving door cycle, often associated with the chronically homeless population.

DSP Homeless counts are conducted every January and July. Teams patrol the downtown area looking for individuals that might find themselves homeless on that night. This year the team witnessed 33 homeless individuals sleeping in alcoves, on benches, behind sound walls, and in cars.  Many of those counted are currently working with the DSP Navigator team to transition off the street into a permanent and sustainable living environment.  On average, the DSP counts range as high as 60 depending on weather conditions and capacity within nearby shelters.

*Population includes those sleeping unsheltered overnight in downtown.

About the DSP Homeless Outreach Navigators

DSP’s Homeless Outreach Navigators work with nearly 400 clients a year connecting them to services and resources. This year, DSP placed 73 downtown homeless individuals into stable living environments. The remaining clients are connected with needed resources, leave the area, find solutions without the help of DSP, or are just passing through the region and do not require further assistance. A small sample of homeless clients continue to refuse service and choose to remain homeless.

For more information regarding the DSP Community Services Department contact Dion Dwyer at 916.442.8575.