From 173 In 2024 To 131 In 2025: Concord’s Homeless Numbers Fall, But Do They Tell The Truth?

The 2025 Point-in-Time (PIT) Homeless Count in Contra Costa County claims a dramatic drop in the number of people experiencing homelessness—reporting 2,118 individuals on a single night in January, down 26% from the year before. Officials say 725 fewer people are homeless this year, citing increased housing options and improved outreach. The count followed federal guidelines, combining an overnight headcount with follow-up surveys to assess demographics, experiences, and health conditions. Of those counted, 60% were unsheltered and 40% were in shelter beds, transitional housing, or other temporary placements. The demographic breakdown reveals that homelessness in the county remains deeply entrenched among adults, with 59% of the population between ages 25 and 54, and 55% reporting they first became homeless in that same age range. Nearly three-quarters of respondents said they’ve lived in Contra Costa County for more than 10 years, debunking the myth that homelessness is primarily imported from other regions. A staggering 86% of households reported at least one member with a disabling condition, and 45% had some history with the criminal justice system—two factors that often complicate stability and access to services. Across the county, West County saw the sharpest drop in numbers—down 41% from last year, while East and Central County both saw similar decreases. Locally, Concord’s count dropped from 173 in 2024 to just 131 in 2025. On paper, that sounds like progress, but to anyone familiar with Concord’s streets, parks, and highway underpasses, that figure strains credibility. Concord is the largest city in Central County and has long been a focal point for both visible encampments and hidden homelessness. From the Monument Corridor to Downtown, Concord’s homeless population has been anything but invisible. The methodology used, a single night observation backed by sample surveys, is inherently limited. People hide, move frequently, or intentionally avoid being counted due to fear of law enforcement or losing what little stability they have. The report even admits that displacement is a widespread issue: 63% of people surveyed said police or city workers forced them to move in the past year, and 75% lost personal belongings as a result. These disruptions make it nearly impossible to accurately track or count those living on the streets, especially in areas like Concord that have seen active sweeps and cleanups.

In the end, while the county celebrates a numerical decline, the reality on the ground, particularly in Concord, paints a far more complex picture. A count of 131 homeless individuals in the city simply doesn’t align with what residents, service providers, and even city workers know to be true. Whether the drop is a result of improved housing or a flawed counting system is still up for debate, but one thing’s clear: the story of homelessness in Concord isn’t as tidy as the statistics suggest.