Earlier this week, the San Diego Regional Task Force on Homelessness released the results of January’s Point in Time Count, a national effort to collect data on homelessness on the same day over a four-hour period.

• The results show the number of unsheltered people experiencing homelessness in Carlsbad was 101, a 10% decrease from the 112 counted in 2024.
• Regionwide, unsheltered homelessness decreased by about 7% since 2024.

Of the unsheltered individuals counted in Carlsbad, 61 – or approximately 60% – were living in vehicles. This count took place prior to the City Council’s adoption of an updated unlawful camping ordinance in March, which now includes vehicles.

Since then, the city has also launched a new grant-funded outreach program in the Village, Barrio and Beach areas that specifically focuses on helping people living in their cars get into stable housing.

Because the Point in Time Count results are just a snapshot and can vary widely, we use a variety of data points tracked year-round to broadly assess our efforts. The city’s latest progress report for July 2023 – June 2024 has detailed information about our efforts and included these results:

• 672 people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness were provided services
• 40 encampments were cleaned up
• 65 people were placed in temporary shelter
• 133 individuals were transitioned into permanent housing
• 69 households were provided preventive services to help keep them from becoming homeless 

• Police calls for service decreased 16% compared to the prior fiscal year

The next report will be presented to the City Council in about a month.

More information 
Carlsbad’s Homelessness Action Plan 
Carlsbad’s homeless response efforts