4.7% fewer people than a year ago are homeless in San Jose. That is a difference of more than three hundred people. Some data indicates that about five hundred fewer people are presently homeless in San Jose, which would be a greater percentage. The rate of homelessness is similarly decreasing within several other Communities within California. Although the rate of homelessness within all of California continues to increase slightly, the rate of increase is decelerating.
People are always becoming homeless. For now though, in San Jose, this is happening at a slower rate than those who are already homeless are becoming not homeless. Some who were homeless there migrated to regions where rent or purchase of a home is more affordable relative to income. Some procured domestic situations locally. Perhaps fewer are actually becoming homeless to begin with. There are many variables. It is difficult to identify the most likely causes of this trend.
Much of the decreasing rate of homelessness in San Jose is the result of innate socioeconomic variables. Influence of local government and its associated assistance programs are also very important. Again though, there are too many variables involved to identify the most influential among them. Otherwise, other Communities would be more proactive with governmental influence and assistance that is determined to be effective.
This all may seem to be nearly irrelevant here in Felton, where the rate of homelessness has been decreasing for quite a while, and where only a few remain homeless. Yet, it may be quite relevant to the few who remain homeless, or those who could potentially become homeless. If this currently decreasing rate of homelessness is due more to innate socioeconomic variables than to governmental influence and assistance, it will be more likely to eventually influence adjacent Communities, including Santa Cruz County.
Felton League 