• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Digital News Updates
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business

Cities spend millions on homeless while they count the number of those in need

January 27, 2024

(The Center Square) – Cities across the country are counting their homeless in an effort to get a handle on how big the problem is.

In the city of Detroit, 25 teams of volunteers will count the number of homeless throughout the city on Jan. 31.

In Denver, 25 teams counted homeless on Jan. 22.

The “Point-In-Time” tracking occurs in January every year and is required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which uses the information when determining federal funding.

In California, two cities have created departments to deal with the issue.

The city of San Francisco established a Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing in 2016, and it was budgeted for $150.6 million in 2017. By 2023, that department’s budget had more than doubled to $309.6 million, according to city documents.

Voters approved the funding for homelessness services in 2017.

As stated in the original documents, in 2016, Proposition J created a homeless housing and services fund that would provide services to the homeless, programs to prevent homelessness, and assistance when transitioning from homelessness, allocating $50 million each year for 24 years.

In 2017, the number of homeless persons in San Francisco was 6,858, and the city saw another increase of 3.5% during the pandemic, hitting an all-time high of 8,035 in 2019, with the last recorded number being 7,754 in 2022.

In San Diego, The Homelessness Strategies Department, created in Oct. 2021, has seen increased spending since being created, with a total budget of $36.7 million in 2021 and $44 million in 2024.

The city reported 5,082 persons experiencing homelessness and 2,600 unsheltered in 2019, and as of Jan. 2023, reported 6,500 persons experiencing homelessness and 3,285 unsheltered.

San Diego has seen a 26% increase in unsheltered homeless persons since 2019, according to reports.

HUD defines homelessness as living in a place not meant for human habitation.

Some cities are seeing taxpayer support for the increased spending on homelessness.

A poll given to Boulder, Colorado, residents shows they agree that homelessness is a significant problem in the city and are supportive of community-based solutions, with 8 in 10 respondents deciding it is essential or very important to contribute to mental health programs, shelter during severe weather, and substance abuse programs.

The poll also showed that 7 in 10 respondents believe it is essential or very important to contribute to funding for supportive housing, as well as housing and renting assistance programs.

By Shirleen Guerra | The Center Square

Filed Under: News

Related Articles:

  • President Trump Signs Senator Sheehy’s Aerial Firefighting Bill Into Law
  • VA slams Democrat governor for falsely claiming vets could be denied care
  • North Dakota to Celebrate Grand Opening of Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library
  • Commerce Awards Nearly $500,000 to Boost Rural Economic Growth in Montana
  • Governor’s Emergency Funds Approved to Aid ICE in Transporting Dangerous Illegal Aliens
  • Supreme Court rules against Florida firefighter who lost health benefits

Primary Sidebar

Digital News Updates Logo

Recent News Posts

  • North Dakota to Celebrate Grand Opening of Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library
  • Montana Attorney General Launches Investigation into Lee Enterprises Following Cyberattack
  • VA slams Democrat governor for falsely claiming vets could be denied care
  • Montana State names 2025 presidential scholars

Recent Politics Posts

  • Gianforte Praises Supreme Court Ruling
  • Zinke Urges Interior Secretary to Act on Projected Low Flathead Lake Levels
  • Senator Daines Leads Bipartisan Push to Celebrate “Great Outdoors Month”
  • Sheehy Introduces Legislation to Compensate Service Members Discharged Over COVID Vaccine Mandate

Recent Business Posts

  • Bridger Aerospace Welcomes Executive Order to Reshape Wildland Firefighting
  • Gianforte Appoints Marta Bertoglio as Department of Commerce Director
  • Daktronics to Announce Q4 and Fiscal 2025 Results on June 25
  • Performance Engineering Earns National Honors

Copyright © 2025 Digital News Updates, All Rights Reserved.