Contra Costa County’s latest homelessness count shows a troubling turn after last year’s major improvement: homelessness is rising again.
A new 2026 Point-in-Time Count from Contra Costa Health found 2,260 people experiencing homelessness in the county on a single night in January. That is up 7% from 2025, when the county counted 2,118 people.
The increase is relatively modest compared with the sharp drop the county reported last year. The 2026 total remains far below the 2,843 people counted in 2024. But the new data still raises concerns, especially because it comes even as Contra Costa has expanded its shelter and housing resources.
Of the 2,260 people counted this year, 1,312 were unsheltered, while 948 were staying in shelter beds or transitional housing. That means a majority of people counted were still living outside, in vehicles, in tents or in other unsheltered settings.
The report also shows how deeply rooted homelessness is in the county. Seventy-five percent of respondents said they had lived in Contra Costa County for 10 years or more. The data challenges the idea that homelessness is mainly being driven by people arriving from elsewhere.
The county’s homeless population also remains highly vulnerable. According to the report, 54% of people surveyed were chronically homeless, and 85% of households had at least one member with a disabling condition. Mental health conditions, physical disabilities, chronic health conditions and substance use disorders were all commonly reported.
There were some signs of progress. The number of people in shelter beds or transitional housing increased by 108 from last year. Contra Costa Health also reported that the county’s temporary and permanent housing bed capacity increased 24% over two years, from 3,561 beds in 2024 to 4,427 in 2026.
That growth included increases in emergency shelter, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing and other permanent housing beds. Rapid rehousing beds nearly doubled over the two-year period, rising from 394 in 2024 to 748 in 2026.
But the overall increase in homelessness suggests that added beds are not yet enough to offset the pressures pushing people into homelessness. In a recent update to the Concord City Council, Contra Costa Health noted that renters in Contra Costa County need to earn $45.50 per hour to afford the average monthly asking rent. The same presentation listed the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Concord at $2,120.
The geography of homelessness also shifted. Raw unsheltered observation totals increased in West County, rising from 297 in 2025 to 392 in 2026. Richmond’s count rose from 208 to 257, while North Richmond rose from 16 to 41.
Central County saw a different pattern. The region’s raw unsheltered observations fell from 321 in 2025 to 230 in 2026. Concord dropped from 131 to 91, Pleasant Hill dropped from 32 to 23 and Walnut Creek dropped from 50 to fewer than five. Martinez, however, increased from 63 to 71.
East County also declined overall, from 388 in 2025 to 353 in 2026. But Antioch remained the largest East County figure, rising slightly from 246 to 251.
The county cautions that the Point-in-Time Count is a one-night snapshot, not a complete year-round picture of homelessness. Weather, outreach patterns, shelter availability and volunteer coverage can all affect what is counted. Still, the count is important because it helps shape federal and state funding allocations and informs local planning.
For residents, the big takeaway is that Contra Costa County appears to be making real investments in shelter and housing capacity, but the crisis is far from solved.
The county has more beds than it did two years ago, and the total number of people experiencing homelessness is still well below 2024’s count. But homelessness rose again this year, unsheltered homelessness remains widespread, and many people counted have lived in the county for a decade or more.
People seeking homeless outreach services in Contra Costa County can call 211 and press 3 to connect with CORE, the county’s Coordinated Outreach Referral and Engagement team.
