City of Roseville

Each year, members of the Roseville Homeless Response Team fan out across the city to perform a “point in time” count of homeless people in Roseville.

The “point in time” count is done in hopes of getting better information about our local homeless population and local needs for services.

The most recent count took place January 25 and showed an 18 percent reduction in South Placer County.

“Collaboration is the key,” said Roseville Housing Manager Danielle Foster. “Our Homeless Response Team consists of members of the Roseville Housing staff, Roseville Police Social Services Unit, County Housing Coordinators and area non-profits. This coordinated effort is making a difference.”

For the count this year, homelessness was defined as        

• Sleeping in a place not meant for human habitation and without a permanent home
• Sleeping in a hotel/motel paid for with hotel vouchers
• Sleeping in an emergency shelter
• Sleeping in transitional housing

The count process included each person counted completing a 10-15 minute written survey to find:

• about his/her characteristics and individual story
• how long the person has been homeless
• what brought them to Placer County
• what challenges they face (income, disabilities, substance abuse, mental illness, etc.),
• whether they have income or support services

This information informs the ways people are becoming homeless in Placer and the needs and/or potential service gaps within the community.

“The challenging work continues to be with chronically homeless people with mental health or substance abuse issues,” said Foster.

The federal government requires an “unsheltered” homeless count every two years. However, public and private agencies working on homelessness in the area have committed to an annual count in hopes of getting better information on a more regular basis.