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source of data

Every 2 years, the County of San Luis Obispo conducts a “Point-in-Time” (PIT) Survey of homeless persons on a day in January. Such a survey is a requirement for receiving federal funds from the U.S. HUD Department for homeless services. The surveys have been conducted in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022. The latest PIT was conducted on February 23, 2022 (delayed one year due to Covid), and it reported 234 homeless persons in Paso Robles, 60 of whom were in a temporary shelter on that night. In as much as the 2022 PIT Survey was taken over a period of only about four hours (instead of the usual twenty-four hours), and did not use local guides to encampments for the PIT teams (due to Covid), it is regarded as probably returning an undercount of the homeless population.

County-wide data from the 2022 PIT Survey

primary causes of homelessness

  • Lost job 17%

  • Alcohol or drug use 19%

  • Divorce/Separation 18%

  • Argument with family or friend 27%

  • Eviction 18%

  • Note that 52% have been living in SLO Co for more than 10 years, and 32% have been homeless for the first time since the 2019 Survey

obstacles to obtaining
permanent housing

  • Can't afford rent without assistance 31%

  • No job or income assistance 59%

  • Food assistance 19%

  • No transportation 17%

veterans

  • In 2017, 10% of homeless were veterans

  • In 2019, 3% of homeless were veterans

  • In 2022, 12% of homeless were veterans

drugs, alcohol, physical, and/or mental health issues

  • 35% had drug or alcohol abuse issues

  • 43% had emotional or psychological issues

  • 27% had physical disabilities 

  • 46% had PTSD

  • 31% had chronic health problems

  • 23% had traumatic brain injury

  • 3% had AIDS/HIV

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