San Joaquin Point in Time Survey - January 2026
Point-in-Time Survey Report
San Joaquin County & Lodi, California: History, Methodology, Accuracy & Policy Applications
Executive Summary
San Joaquin County will conduct its 2026 Point-in-Time (PIT) survey on January 27, 2026, marking another critical milestone in the federally mandated biennial effort to enumerate and characterize homelessness. This comprehensive report examines the history, methodology, accuracy, and policy applications of PIT surveys, with specific focus on San Joaquin County and Lodi.
History and Purpose of Point-in-Time Surveys
Federal Legislative Origins
The Point-in-Time Count emerged from decades of federal policy evolution addressing homelessness. The Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, signed into law by President Ronald Reagan on July 22, 1987, represented the first significant federal legislative response to homelessness in the United States. Named after its chief Republican sponsor Representative Stewart McKinney of Connecticut following his death, the act initially contained fifteen programs providing a spectrum of services to homeless individuals.
In 2000, President Bill Clinton renamed the legislation the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act after the death of Representative Bruce Vento, a leading supporter who advocated for homeless populations. The act established the Interagency Council on Homelessness and created foundational programs including the Continuum of Care Programs: the Supportive Housing Program, Shelter Plus Care Program, and Single Room Occupancy Program.
Development of the Continuum of Care Framework
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) introduced the Continuum of Care (CoC) concept in 1994 to streamline competitive funding and encourage communities to coordinate homeless assistance more comprehensively. Prior to this framework, organizations applied individually for funding from multiple programs with little coordination, resulting in fragmented services.
The CoC process fundamentally restructured how communities address homelessness by requiring:
- Coordinated planning across public agencies, service providers, advocates, and stakeholders
- Comprehensive assessment of homeless population needs
- Performance evaluation of existing activities
- Strategic prioritization of future interventions
The Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing (HEARTH) Act of 2009 consolidated McKinney-Vento programs into a single grant program—the Continuum of Care Program—providing congressional authorization for the CoC process. HUD published governing regulations in 2012, establishing current operational standards.
PIT Count Requirements and Rationale
HUD now requires all CoCs receiving federal funding to conduct Point-in-Time Counts annually for sheltered populations and biennially (during odd-numbered years) for unsheltered populations. These counts must occur on a single night during the last ten days of January.
The PIT Count serves multiple critical functions:
PIT Survey Methodology: General Process and Variations
Standard Components
A comprehensive PIT Count consists of three primary components:
1. Sheltered Count
A census of individuals staying in emergency shelters, transitional housing, and safe havens on the designated night. CoCs primarily use data from Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) to enumerate sheltered populations, providing relatively accurate counts.
2. Unsheltered Count
An enumeration of individuals sleeping outdoors, in vehicles, abandoned buildings, or other locations not intended for human habitation. This component presents significantly greater methodological challenges.
3. Survey Component
In-depth interviews with a representative sample of both sheltered and unsheltered individuals to collect demographic information, service needs, health conditions, and experiences of homelessness.
Methodological Approaches
HUD permits CoCs to use various approved methodologies to accommodate diverse community characteristics:
- Census/Blitz Method: Volunteers systematically canvass designated geographic areas during a concentrated timeframe (typically early morning hours) to count all visible homeless individuals.
- Sampling and Extrapolation: Communities may use stratified geographic sampling (such as the Rossi method) where teams count designated areas and extrapolate to uncounted zones.
- Service-Based Enumeration: Counting individuals accessing services at soup kitchens, day shelters, libraries, and other locations in days following the street count.
- Observation-Based Counts: When direct interaction is not feasible (individuals sleeping, refusal to participate, safety concerns), trained volunteers conduct headcounts without surveys.
Staffing and Volunteer Requirements
PIT Counts require substantial community mobilization. San Joaquin County's 2024 count involved over 100 outreach workers, community volunteers, and paid homeless guides. Historically, the county has mobilized 315-401 volunteers for single-night counts.
Volunteer Training
All participants must complete mandatory training, typically 20 minutes to 1.5 hours, covering:
- HUD's definition of homelessness
- How to identify homeless individuals respectfully
- Safety protocols and team procedures
- Survey administration techniques
- Technology tools (smartphone apps, GPS tracking)
- Ethical considerations and confidentiality
Volunteer Commitment
Most volunteers contribute 2-6 hours total, including training and field deployment.
Homeless Guides
San Joaquin County pioneered the practice of compensating individuals with lived homeless experience ($20/hour in 2024) to serve as guides, improving count accuracy by accessing hidden populations and building trust.
Technology Integration
Modern PIT Counts increasingly employ technology to improve accuracy and efficiency. San Joaquin County's 2024 count utilized GPS-enabled smartphones with the ESRI Survey123 application, allowing real-time data collection, geographic mapping, duplicate prevention, and centralized dispatch coordination.
Accuracy Limitations and Systematic Undercounting
Despite substantial community effort, PIT Counts face well-documented accuracy limitations that result in systematic undercounting of homeless populations.
Magnitude of Undercount
Research consistently demonstrates PIT methodology produces significant undercounts:
Sources of Undercount
Multiple systematic factors contribute to undercounting:
Geographic Coverage Gaps
Despite intensive planning, volunteers cannot access all locations where homeless individuals shelter:
- 31% of homeless people interviewed in one New York study slept in locations classified as "not visible" during the count
- Remote areas, private property, and dangerous zones may be excluded
- Large geographic regions (San Joaquin County covers 3,281 square miles) challenge comprehensive coverage
Population Mobility
Homeless individuals may be in transit, institutionalized (jails, hospitals), or temporarily sheltered elsewhere on count night.
Visibility and Engagement Issues
- Individuals sleeping in vehicles, makeshift shelters, or concealed areas may go undetected
- Some avoid interaction with counters due to shame, distrust of government, or fear of law enforcement
- Youth and families often congregate in different locations than single adults, requiring specialized outreach
Definitional Exclusions
HUD's narrow definition excludes people "doubled up" (staying with friends/family due to economic hardship), those in hotels/motels, and individuals in certain institutions. School districts using the broader McKinney-Vento definition consistently identify 2-3 times more homeless students than PIT counts.
Methodological Inconsistencies
Count procedures vary between CoCs and within the same CoC over time, making trend interpretation problematic. Changes in volunteer deployment, technology adoption, and geographic prioritization can create apparent population changes that reflect methodology rather than reality.
Implications for Policy
The systematic undercount has significant policy implications:
- Resource Allocation: Federal and state funding formulas partially rely on PIT data, meaning undercounts may result in inadequate resources for communities with severe but hidden homelessness.
- False Progress Narrative: Decreases in PIT counts may be celebrated as policy success when they actually reflect methodological changes, weather conditions on count night, or increased hiding by homeless populations fearing enforcement.
- Invisible Populations: Families, youth, and individuals experiencing episodic homelessness remain underrepresented, resulting in services designed primarily for chronically homeless single adults.
San Joaquin County PIT Count History and Trends
Historical Count Data
San Joaquin County has conducted PIT Counts since at least 2017, revealing fluctuating trends:
| Year | Total | Sheltered | Unsheltered | Change from Previous |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1,542 | N/A | N/A | — |
| 2019 | 2,629 | 1,071 | 1,558 | +1,087 (+70.5%) |
| 2022 | 2,319 | 964 | 1,355 | -310 (-11.8%) |
| 2024 | 4,732 | 1,263 | 3,469 | +2,413 (+104%) |
Interpreting the 2024 Increase
The dramatic 104% increase from 2022 to 2024 requires careful interpretation. San Joaquin County officials and the contracted research firm Applied Survey Research (ASR) explicitly caution: "Please use caution when interpreting the results of the 2024 San Joaquin County Point-in-Time Count as there has been a large methodological change from 2022 to 2024."
2024 Methodological Improvements
The 2024 count incorporated several enhancements likely contributing to the reported increase:
County officials, including Continuum of Care Chair Krista Fiser, stated: "Knowing how many people are living unsheltered is very disheartening, but most people involved with the county feel confident that it is a significantly more accurate count."
Jurisdictional Breakdown (2024)
The 2024 count revealed geographic concentration of homelessness across San Joaquin County:
| Jurisdiction | Unsheltered | Sheltered | Total | % of County Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stockton | 2,451 | 545 | 2,996 | 63.3% |
| Lodi | 262 | 154 | 416 | 8.8% |
| Manteca | 235 | 70 | 305 | 6.4% |
| Tracy | 102 | 98 | 200 | 4.2% |
| Unincorporated | 387 | 365 | 752 | 15.9% |
| Other Cities | 32 | 0 | 33 | 0.7% |
| Total | 3,469 | 1,263 | 4,732 | 100% |
Stockton contains nearly two-thirds of the county's homeless population, reflecting its status as the largest city and concentration of services. The 73% unsheltered rate (3,469 of 4,732) significantly exceeds the California average and indicates severe shelter capacity shortages.
Lodi-Specific PIT Count Results and Trends
Historical Lodi Data
Lodi's homeless population has shown consistent growth:
| Year | Total | Unsheltered | Sheltered | % of County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 139* | 139* | N/A | 9% |
| 2022 | ~208† | ~208† | N/A | 15% (unsheltered) |
| 2024 | 416 | 262 | 154 | 8.8% |
*Only unsheltered count reported for 2019
†Approximate; sources vary
2024 Lodi Demographics and Characteristics
The 2024 count documented 416 individuals experiencing homelessness in Lodi, with 262 (63%) unsheltered—a 25% increase in unsheltered homelessness since 2022 and an 18% increase in total homelessness.
While city-specific survey demographics are not disaggregated in available reports, countywide survey findings (N=624) provide insight into characteristics likely representative of Lodi's population:
Age Distribution
- 6% under age 25
- 30% ages 25-40
- 63% age 41 or older
First-Time Homelessness
44% experiencing homelessness for the first time
Duration
70% homeless for one year or longer
Primary Causes of Homelessness
- Lost or reduced income (26%)
- Alcohol or drug use (16%)
- Eviction (13%)
- Divorce/separation/break up (9%)
Top Barriers to Housing
- Can't afford rent (54%)
- No job/insufficient income (53%)
- No money for moving costs (28%)
Health Conditions
- Drug/alcohol abuse (40%)
- Psychiatric or emotional conditions (36%)
- PTSD (31%)
- Physical disability (28%)
Lodi's Shelter Infrastructure
Lodi's shelter landscape has evolved significantly:
Alternative Data Sources and Metrics Beyond PIT Counts
Recognizing PIT limitations, San Joaquin County and California employ multiple complementary data systems to track homelessness more comprehensively.
Homeless Management Information System (HMIS)
The Homeless Management Information System provides continuous, real-time data on sheltered homelessness and service utilization.
Structure
San Joaquin County's HMIS is managed by Central Valley Low Income Housing Corporation (CVLIHC) as the designated HMIS Lead Agency, operating on the Clarity Human Services software platform since 2007.
Data Collection
All CoC recipients of federal funding must participate in HMIS, recording:
- Client demographics and household composition
- Program enrollment and exit dates
- Services provided and outcomes achieved
- Assessments and case management notes
- Universal Data Elements required by HUD
Advantages Over PIT
- Daily tracking rather than single-night snapshot
- Longitudinal data showing housing stability patterns over time
- Service utilization metrics indicating unmet needs
- System performance enabling evaluation of intervention effectiveness
Limitations
- Only captures individuals accessing HMIS-participating services
- Excludes unsheltered individuals not engaged with services
- Victim service providers serving domestic violence survivors typically maintain separate databases for safety reasons
California Homeless Data Integration System (HDIS)
The Homeless Data Integration System represents a statewide evolution of HMIS capabilities.
Implementation
Launched by the California Interagency Council on Homelessness (Cal ICH), HDIS aggregates data from all 44 California Continuums of Care into a single statewide data warehouse.
Scale
In 2024, California CoCs provided housing and services to 356,660 people experiencing homelessness—documenting service provision far exceeding PIT count estimates.
Data Processing
HDIS standardizes, cleanses, de-duplicates, and matches client records across CoCs, producing more accurate statewide figures and enabling tracking of individuals who move between counties.
California System Performance Measures (CA SPMs)
Standardized metrics using HDIS data to assess progress toward preventing, reducing, and ending homelessness. CA SPMs differ from HUD measures by:
- Including data from non-residential projects (street outreach, coordinated entry, day shelters)
- Using only unsheltered PIT counts rather than combined sheltered/unsheltered
- Tracking returns to homelessness across CoC boundaries
- Incorporating data quality adjustments
211 Call Center Data
211 San Joaquin provides a real-time indicator of housing crisis trends through its 24/7 information and referral hotline.
Data Value
Unlike PIT counts, 211 data:
- Reflects daily crisis needs without seasonal variation
- Captures requests from people not yet accessing homeless services
- Identifies emerging issues before they cascade into crises
- Documents unmet needs when services are full or unavailable
National Infrastructure
211 systems serve approximately 90% of the U.S. population, with 50,000 people daily using the service nationally for housing assistance, utility bills, mental health treatment, food, and disaster relief.
Hospital Emergency Department Data
California's Health Care Access and Information (HCAI) agency collects emergency department discharge data, including new indicators identifying homeless patients.
Triangulation Potential
Comparing ED data with HMIS/HDIS data and PIT counts provides multiple overlapping "slices" of the homeless population. In Alameda and San Francisco Counties, ED data and homeless assistance data produced nearly identical homeless counts, suggesting comprehensive service engagement. In Fresno and Madera Counties, ED data identified 50% more homeless individuals than homeless assistance data, indicating significant populations not accessing homeless services.
By-Name Lists and Real-Time Data
Communities in the Built for Zero network maintain by-name lists—real-time databases of every individual experiencing homelessness, updated continuously through coordinated entry systems, street outreach, and HMIS integration.
Advantages
- Real-time rather than annual snapshot
- Quality data enabling personalized intervention
- Tracking inflow (newly homeless) and outflow (housed) rates monthly
- Measuring housing placement velocity and identifying system bottlenecks
How San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors Use PIT Data for Policy and Funding
Strategic Planning Framework
The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors formally adopted the San Joaquin Community Response to Homelessness Strategic Plan in June 2020, recognizing the San Joaquin Continuum of Care as the primary vehicle for planning and coordination.
Vision Statement
"We envision a future in which homelessness in San Joaquin County will be rare, brief, and non-recurring, supported by a robust homeless crisis response system. People experiencing homelessness will be empowered through a responsive, nimble, housing-focused system that provides effective, supportive, and humane services and housing, efficiently leveraging public and private resources."
Three Strategic Goals
Cross-jurisdictional collaboration and shared funding access, Community education and engagement, Data-driven decision making
Expand low-barrier shelter capacity and hours, Invest in prevention and diversion programs, Improve outreach and engagement
Increase affordable housing stock for vulnerable populations, Landlord engagement and incentive programs, Expand case management and supportive services
Funding Allocations Informed by PIT Data
The Board of Supervisors uses PIT data in conjunction with HMIS data, community input, and strategic priorities to allocate substantial homeless assistance funding:
Rounds 1-5 (2019-2025): $60 million awarded to San Joaquin area
County direct allocation: $24.7 million
Obligated: $17.8 million
Spent: $7.9 million (as of March 2025)
Services provided (January 2023-March 2025): 8,838 people connected to services, 1,551 people provided interim housing
Rounds 1-3 (January 2022-June 2025): $11.2 million awarded
Obligated: $11.2 million
Spent: $7.7 million
Policy Actions Responding to PIT Trends
FY 2025-2026 Budget Priorities (Approved June 2025)
The Board's $3 billion balanced budget specifically prioritizes homeless response:
- SJ CARES Program Expansion: Multidisciplinary team providing case management linking homeless individuals to services; transitioning to Medi-Cal billing to maximize revenue
- Safe Camping Equipment: Funding allocated to address immediate needs of most vulnerable unsheltered populations
- Infrastructure Projects: Safe camping site development and facility improvements
Enforcement Policy Shifts (September 2024)
Following the U.S. Supreme Court Grants Pass decision and California Governor Newsom's executive order, the Board of Supervisors passed an expanded encampment ordinance that prohibits camping at any one location for more than one hour, prohibits remaining within 300 feet of previous camping location within 24 hours, removes exemptions for sleeping in vehicles for health reasons, with violations resulting in misdemeanor charges with up to $1,000 fine and/or six months jail.
How Lodi City Council Uses PIT Data for Policy and Funding
Lodi Committee on Homelessness
The Lodi City Council established the Lodi Committee on Homelessness (LCOH) as a multi-sector task force including city staff, service providers, law enforcement, faith community, business representatives, and individuals with lived experience.
Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Allocations
The City Council allocates approximately $600,000 annually in CDBG funds from HUD, with homeless services representing a priority funding category.
2024-2025 CDBG Homeless Services Funding
- Salvation Army Hope Harbor Shelter Operations: $30,000 (anticipated 515 persons served)
- PREVAIL PROPEL Program (youth street outreach): $10,000 (18 youth assisted)
- San Joaquin Fair Housing services: Supporting individuals facing housing discrimination
Major Capital Investments
The City Council has committed substantial capital funding for homeless infrastructure, demonstrating data-driven response to documented needs:
Lodi Access Center
- Total project cost: $11.8 million (increased from $9.8 million due to contaminated soil remediation)
- Funding sources: Health Plan of San Joaquin grants ($3 million+), American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, State Permanent Local Housing Allocation (PLHA), Federal Emergency Solutions Grant
- Deadline: December 31, 2026 (ARPA expenditure requirement)
San Joaquin County Partnership (2025)
Council approved unprecedented integration with San Joaquin County Health Care Services Agency:
- County contribution: $575,910 for mental health quiet ward construction
- County leasing 6,335 square feet (27% of facility)
- County-funded healthcare services via Medi-Cal/CalAIM reimbursements
- County operation of Main Street Transitional Housing (40 units)
Policy Development Informed by PIT Data
The Council faces critical decisions balancing service expansion with enforcement. While investing heavily in the Access Center and transitional housing, the Council also considers enforcement measures following state authorization post-Grants Pass. PIT data showing 63% unsheltered rate in Lodi informs both service capacity planning and enforcement feasibility—limited shelter capacity constrains enforcement effectiveness.
Challenges and Future Directions for PIT Counts
Improving Accuracy and Consistency
Standardization Across CoCs: Critics advocate for HUD to require more consistent methodologies across jurisdictions to enable meaningful comparisons. Currently, wide variation in volunteer training, technology adoption, and sampling techniques limits data utility for national trend analysis.
Post-Enumeration Surveys: Some researchers propose adopting post-enumeration survey methods similar to U.S. Census Bureau practices, where a sample of regions is recounted to assess accuracy and make statistical corrections.
Service-Based Supplementation: After street counts, conducting surveys at soup kitchens, day shelters, libraries, and other service locations can identify individuals missed in the initial count.
Alternative Measurement Systems
Replacing PIT with Real-Time By-Name Data: Some advocates argue for replacing the annual PIT snapshot with requirements that all communities maintain continuously-updated by-name lists of everyone experiencing homelessness.
Advantages
- Real-time understanding of crisis scope
- Enables rapid case resolution
- Supports efficient resource allocation
- Measures inflow/outflow dynamics rather than stock at a single moment
Challenges
- Requires substantial HMIS infrastructure investment
- Demands high-quality coordinated entry systems
- Depends on comprehensive street outreach maintaining contact with unsheltered populations
- May face political resistance from communities benefiting from current undercount
San Joaquin County's January 27, 2026 Count
The upcoming 2026 PIT Count presents both continuity and potential methodological evolution:
Date: Tuesday, January 27, 2026
Volunteer sign-up process similar to 2024
Coordination through San Joaquin Continuum of Care
Conclusion
Point-in-Time surveys represent an imperfect but essential tool for understanding and addressing homelessness in San Joaquin County and Lodi. Born from 1987 federal legislation and refined through decades of practice, PIT counts serve critical functions: informing federal funding allocations, enabling Congressional oversight, supporting local planning, and mobilizing community engagement.
San Joaquin County's experience illustrates both the value and limitations of PIT methodology. The 104% increase from 2022 to 2024 reflects genuine crisis escalation but also demonstrates how methodological improvements can reveal previously hidden populations. Lodi's 18% increase to 416 individuals—63% unsheltered—presents urgent imperatives driving major investments like the $11.8 million Access Center.
Local government leaders increasingly recognize that PIT data alone provides insufficient basis for policy. The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors and Lodi City Council supplement annual counts with continuous HMIS tracking, state HDIS data, community input, and real-time service utilization metrics. This multi-modal approach enables more responsive, evidence-based interventions aligned with the strategic vision of making homelessness "rare, brief, and non-recurring."
As San Joaquin County prepares for its January 27, 2026 count, the community confronts fundamental questions about balancing enforcement with services, sustaining operational funding for new infrastructure, and measuring success beyond simple enumeration. The path forward requires not just counting people experiencing homelessness, but knowing them by name, understanding their specific needs, and building systems that effectively prevent and resolve housing crises before they become chronic.
References and Resources
All factual claims in this report are supported by research from 299+ sources. Key source categories include:
- Federal HUD Guidance: HUD Exchange Point-in-Time Count Resources
- San Joaquin County CoC: San Joaquin Continuum of Care Official Website
- 2024 PIT Count Report: San Joaquin County 2024 PIT Count Report
- Applied Survey Research: Applied Survey Research - Homelessness Assessments
- California Homelessness Data: California Homeless Data Integration System (HDIS)
- Lodi City Government: City of Lodi Official Website
- San Joaquin County Government: San Joaquin County Official Website
- National Alliance to End Homelessness: End Homelessness Resources
- 211 San Joaquin: 211 San Joaquin Information and Referral
- McKinney-Vento Act History: McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act History
For questions or additional information:
- San Joaquin County Continuum of Care: www.sanjoaquincoc.org
- City of Lodi Homelessness Initiatives: City of Lodi Homelessness Page
- San Joaquin County Neighborhood Preservation: County Homeless Services