Council Discussion of 2025 Homeless Count Results Crowded Out by Budget Hearing

The Pasadena City Council postponed discussion of the city’s 2025 homeless count results Monday night, pushing back presentation of data showing a 4% increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness within the city.

The annual count, which tracks people who experienced homelessness throughout 2024, found 1,047 individuals, representing a 5% decrease from 2023. However, more people fell into homelessness, with 270 newly unhoused individuals compared to 215 in 2023.

Mayor Victor Gordo announced during the June 9 meeting that Item 16, which contained results from both the 2024 Annual Count and 2025 Point in Time Count, would be held due to the late hour and ongoing budget discussions.

“In fairness to those who want to participate in the discussion, given the hour and where we are in the budget discussion, we should probably announce that now and we’ll get it back on the agenda as quickly as possible,” Gordo said.

The postponed report from the Department of Housing shows 581 people were experiencing homelessness in Pasadena on the night of the February count. Unsheltered homelessness rose 7% to 342 people, with over half sleeping on streets or sidewalks.

Public commenter Sonja Berndt criticized the delay during a public comment period.

“The homelessness crisis in our city is worsening. It’s getting worse, and now you’re not even going to discuss the worsening homelessness crisis before you pass the fiscal year 2026 operating budget,” Berndt said.

The Point in Time Count was conducted February 19-20, postponed by one month due to the Eaton Fire. The count included 12 people who reported being directly impacted by the fire.

Single adults without children comprised 83% of those experiencing homelessness, a 7% increase over 2024. The report shows persistent racial disparities based on the 2024 Annual Count, with Black or African American individuals representing 38% of that count’s homeless population while comprising only 10% of the city’s general population.

Veteran homelessness continued a downward trend, dropping to 29 veterans from 32 in 2024 and 40 in 2023.

The report notes that 79% of people counted reported long-term health conditions or disabilities, with serious mental health conditions affecting 45% of individuals.

Councilmember Rick Cole addressed housing urgency at the meeting’s end, describing encounters with homeless individuals he saw while driving to the meeting.

“I don’t want to wait years for my friend Ed LaVoy and for the two people who are nameless that I saw on the way here or the 300 people that we counted earlier this year in good conscience, I just can’t accept that we have enough money for X and Y and Z, but people out on the street are going to have to continue to fend for themselves,” Cole said.

Gordo said the item would be placed back on the agenda as quickly as possible.