• 15,000 Contra Costa County residents experience homelessness each year and the homeless population is growing as recession continues
• 5,000 in the County sleep on streets, in vehicles, or temporarily in shelters or homes of relatives or friends
• 47% of the County’s homeless are in West County
• The homeless suffer higher rates of domestic and criminal violence, HIV and AIDS, physical disabilities, and early death
• At least one-third of homeless persons have mental health problems, often compounded by substance abuse problems
• Despite very low income, more than 75% of homeless persons have a high school diploma or GED and many have college, university, and advanced degrees
• More than 15% of homeless persons are employed by others and many have their own legal, income-generating enterprises
• Cost to taxpayers is high: 20% of homeless are jailed at least once per year and many use expensive public emergency services or are hospitalized at public expense