Unhoused population jumps by 56% in Mountain View

(KRON) — This year’s point-in-time count of people experiencing homelessness in Santa Clara County showed a major spike in the City of Mountain View.

The count found 879 unhoused people in Mountain View, up from 562 in 2023 — a 56% increase. The city points to the rise of people living out of cars and recreational vehicles (RVs), along with “lack of affordable housing and limited temporary shelters and programs in Santa Clara County and the greater Bay Area.” Officials also note that some commuters with homes elsewhere live in vehicles while working in Mountain View.

Across the county, homelessness — “including both sheltered and unsheltered individuals”—rose a little over 8% compared to 2023. On a single night in January, 10,711 people were counted.

The report said the leading causes were job loss, followed by household loss or breakup, health issues, and eviction. About 46% of people were living in a car or RV, 24% were outdoors, and 30% were in a shelter.

Danny Bidao has been living out of his van in Mountain View for years. He said he’s been waiting for a spot to open at the city-run safe parking site.

“There’s a lot of people here so we would hope that it would run a little faster, that’s all,” Bidao said. He added he was “very surprised it shouldn’t be that way” after hearing about the spike.

The city’s Assistant City Manager, Audrey Ramberg, said the results were not surprising.
“There are some understandable reasons for this; in terms of a lack of affordable housing, the challenges to people’s income, not keeping up with the cost of living,” Ramberg said.

Mountain View has invested more than $190 million in affordable housing since 2019. Ramberg said the city also puts about $1 million a year into programs and services, including the 105-space safe parking program.

“We also invest in programs and services,” said Ramberg. “Approximately $1 million a year since 2016, including 105-space safe parking program. That’s part of the count, but it gives people a safe place to be with hygiene services and other assistance to more permanent sustainable housing.”

The safe parking site, located on Shoreline Boulevard across from the Google campus, offers hygiene services and temporary stability. Some people said they got a spot in the last couple of months, while others have lived there for years. Bidao said more sites are needed to keep up with demand.

“Yes, more spots. That way we can all have a spot in a safe environment,” he said.

Other Santa Clara County cities also saw increases, including Cupertino with a 110% rise and Palo Alto with 103%. Meanwhile, Milpitas and Los Gatos saw declines.

This year, Mountain View approved a roadmap called Pathways to Housing, which lays out strategies to address homelessness over the next seven to 10 years.