Homeless Population Census Data

In January 2024, Sacramento Steps Forward led the annual Point-In-Time (PIT) Count as required by HUD for trend analysis. In April 2024, The Citrus Heights Police Department implemented the Homeless Information Field Identification Count that serves as first-party data measuring homelessness in Citrus Heights. The following summary reviews the purpose, methodology, and key takeaways of both reports.   

SACRAMENTO STEPS FORWARD POINT IN TIME COUNT

Purpose: Sacramento Steps Forward (SSF), as the lead agency for the Sacramento Continuum of Care (CoC), is responsible for planning and conducting a point-in-time (PIT) count of unsheltered persons who meet the definition established by the US Housing and Urban Development (US HUD) of “unsheltered homeless person” (i.e., person residing in a place not meant for human habitation such as cars, parks, sidewalks, abandoned buildings (on the street)".

Methodology: The PIT typically occurs every other year on a single night during the final 10 days of January. Due to error factors in the estimates with the PIT Count, it is not unusual to see variability in data between the PIT and HIFI count.

Data Collection Period: January 24, 2024

Results: The published report can be found here. Overall, the County-wide number of homeless is reported to have dropped by approximately 29% since 2022. In Citrus Heights specifically, the PIT identified 62 individuals experiencing homelessness, representing 1.6% of the County’s homeless population. For reference, the 2022 PIT Count identified a total of 89 homeless individuals in Citrus Heights.

Takeaways: While the point-in-time methodology is not a comprehensive measure of homeless people, it does provide a snapshot of homeless activity in Citrus Heights compared to other jurisdictions in the region.

CITRUS HEIGHTS POLICE DEPARTMENT HOMELESS FIELD IDENTIFICATION (HIFI)

Purpose: The Citrus Heights Police Department performs an annual Homeless Information Field Identification (HIFI). The HIFI Count is an internal tool used by CHPD to track trends and support efforts with chronic nuisance offenders. It is a true census approach, which reduces error factors related to the statistical analysis used for the PIT approach.

Methodology: CHPD patrol officers and Impact detectives conducted an annual count of unhoused individuals contacted within our community.  A brief field interview was conducted to include updates to their biographical information as well as inquiries into how they came to be unhoused in Citrus Heights, if they have ever used our Community Health Worker services (or would like to), and whether they self-diagnose as having mental health concerns, or drug/alcohol dependencies.  The information was then collated and analyzed by CHPD to address repeat nuisance offenders and how best to assist them with recovery or hold them accountable, if needed.  The results of this count were for internal purposes and not related to the annual PIT count. 

Data Collection Period: March 1st – 15th, 2024

Results: This attachment summarizes the 2024 HIFI Count, which identified 108 homeless individuals in Citrus Heights, a 14% increase since 2023.

Takeaways: 

• 77 of the 108 unhoused individuals (71%) self-reported either a Mental Health or Dependency issue
• 57 out of 108 homeless individuals (53%) counted in 2024 stated they are from or have lived in Citrus Heights at some point in the past
• 94 out of the 108 homeless individuals (87%) have had prior contact with CHPD – meaning these are not necessarily new homeless individuals to CHPD or the City of Citrus Heights
• 79 out of 108 homeless individuals (73%) have indicated they would like support from the City’s Community Health Workers, and the CHWs have either worked with or are attempting to contact each respondent