By Sara Beth Williams–
Results of the recent Point in Time (PIT) count survey of unhoused individuals in Sacramento County found the unhoused population in Citrus Heights rose by almost 100 more individuals than those counted in 2024.
Survey results released in early May also found that homelessness had increased by 13 percent throughout Sacramento County, totaling 7,458 individuals county-wide, with the majority of those counted as sheltered individuals living in a homeless shelter situation. There were around 6,600 counted in 2024 in Sacramento County, with just over 60 of those counted in Citrus Heights two years ago.
Multiple volunteer teams canvased Citrus Heights and communities throughout the county over two nights in late January 2026 in order to obtain a count of sheltered and unsheltered homeless individuals. According to a presentation by Sacramento Steps Forward, thirty percent more volunteers were able to join in the effort in counting homeless individuals in 2026.
While there was a drop in unsheltered populations in the city of Sacramento, there was an increase in all other counted regions except Folsom, including Elk Grove, Rancho Cordova, Galt, and Citrus Heights. Rancho Cordova saw the highest increase of 303 percent, or 158 people, while Citrus Heights saw the second highest increase of 153 percent, or 95 people.
Surveys of unhoused individuals first began in 2017 and have been conducted every two years, with the exception of 2021, which was skipped. Sacramento Steps Forward has announced that the Point in Time count will now be conducted annually beginning in 2027.
In Citrus Heights, 239 unhoused individuals were counted in 2017, and the count has appeared to dramatically decrease since, with 45 found in 2019, 89 found in 2022, and 62 found in 2024.
However, several Citrus Heights homeless advocates called into question the PIT count results in 2024, saying it was difficult to find and count unhoused individuals on a cold, rainy night in the middle of January. Many suggested that the number counted was lower than the actual number of Citrus Heights’ unhoused population.
Alfred Sanchez, a homeless advocate who regularly interacts with unhoused individuals and helps provide snacks, hygiene supplies, and resources on a weekly basis, said the Citrus Heights Police Department also conducts an annual count of unhoused individuals each March and used to report its findings on the number of homeless to the City Council during an annual Police Department report each April.
“Last year and this year the chief didn’t mention the results in his April report at the council meeting for the past two years,” Sanchez said. “Due to it being public record, I found out there was an increase last year.”
Data shared with Sanchez from the Citrus Heights Police Department shows that in 2025, the police department counted 173 unhoused within the city, and in 2026, 175 unhoused were counted. The police department did not differentiate between sheltered and unsheltered individuals.
Citrus Heights Homeless Assistance Resource Team Board Chair Irene Hronicek did not respond for a request for comment regarding this year’s Point in Time count.
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The PIT count conducted by Sacramento Steps Forward includes those who are experiencing homelessness on the streets as well as those who are experiencing homelessness in shelter, organizers have emphasized in the past. Homelessness, as defined by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, is “anyone who lacks a regular fixed nighttime residence.”
Survey results for this year in the entire county show 4,205 homeless individuals were considered unsheltered, and 3,253 were counted as experiencing homelessness but living in a shelter.
Since the PIT count began in 2017, homelessness numbers throughout Sacramento County have doubled according to data shared by Sacramento Steps Forward. In Sacramento County, 3,665 individuals were found to be experiencing homelessness in 2017, compared to 7,400 in 2026.
Sacramento Steps Forward has emphasized that more individuals experiencing homelessness are accessing shelters and attributes that to more shelters and emergency beds being available this year versus in 2023. Between 2024 and 2026, the number of people experiencing homelessness in shelters increased by almost 22 percent, from 2,671 to 3,253 in the county.
Assemblyman Josh Hoover and State Sen. Angelique Ashby have criticized the response to homelessness in Sacramento County and in the state.
Hoover (R-Folsom) has criticized the state’s spending on homelessness and housing and in 2023, Hoover and a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers successfully called for a major state audit into how billions of taxpayer dollars are spent on homelessness.
Requested in 2023 and completed in 2024, the state audit evaluated California’s homelessness spending from 2018 to 2023, and revealed that the state failed to track the cost-effectiveness and outcomes of its massive homelessness investments.
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Ashby has called for the formation of a joint power of authority to be created within the county to help consolidate homeless and housing services, through Senate Bill 802.
The Citrus Heights City Council and Rancho Cordova City Council voted to remain neutral on SB 802, while the Folsom City Council and the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors have voted to oppose the bill.
A majority of the Sacramento City Council voted to support SB 802, while Sacramento Mayor Kevin MeCarty remains an opponent of the bill, according to local news sources.
Several city leaders have alleged that cities who initially opposed the bill felt threatened by Ashby and were reportedly told that if cities opposed her, she would still move forward with the formation of the new Sacramento Area Housing and Homelessness Agency.
The 2026 PIT Count was held over two nights in January involving roughly 800 volunteers. The results are submitted annually to HUD following data validation and analysis.
