No point in time count of the homeless population in San Diego was done this year because of the pandemic.
But based on the number of people who sought out homeless services last year, the increase in the first-time homeless population rose dramatically. The Regional Task Force on the Homeless estimates the number of people experiencing homelessness for the first time last year nearly doubled — from 2,300 in 2019 to 4,100 in 2020.
Officials said they are not entirely sure that the pandemic accounts for that increase, but COVID-19-related job and housing losses are likely causes.
The San Diego Union-Tribune reporter Gary Warth joined Midday Edition on Monday to discuss the latest homeless numbers.