The committee’s review follows the City Council’s June 22 receipt of the annual homeless count, which found overall homelessness remained largely unchanged despite the first decline in unsheltered homelessness in five years.
Housing Director James Wong said in a memorandum to the committee that the City Council requested the matter return for additional review before it comes back to the full council.
The report also cautions that Pasadena’s homeless response system faces increasing financial challenges.
“The City remains committed to strengthening its homeless response system even as the sector faces considerable challenges in the coming year including County and federal funding cuts,” wrote Housing Director Jim Wong. “Planning has begun for Pasadena’s new year-round shelter. In addition, new resources are on the horizon. Door of Hope’s David & Katharine Lee Holmes, partially funded by the City, is expected to open in early 2027, expanding transitional housing options for families.”
Wong said the Ramona project is expected to break ground in 2027 and will provide 100 units of affordable housing for seniors including 48 permanent supportive housing units. “Together, these efforts position the City to expand interim housing resources, bring new housing online, and continue building a stronger, more responsive system for Pasadena residents experiencing homelessness.”
The department ran out of housing vouchers last year and did not seek more funding for vouchers despite a standing request the Housing Department come back to council when it no longer has vouchers.
The committee will review the original report, a staff presentation and additional detailed data requested by Councilmembers.
The Jan. 21 count found 577 people experiencing homelessness in Pasadena, four fewer than in 2025. While the overall number changed little, the composition of the homeless population shifted.
“Overall homelessness remained relatively flat,” the report states. “On the night of the 2026 Point-in-Time Homeless Count, 577 people were experiencing homelessness in Pasadena, representing a 1% decrease from 2025 (four fewer people). While the number of people experiencing homelessness was largely unchanged, there were notable shifts within the population as described below.”
Unsheltered homelessness declined 6% to 322 people, the first decrease in five years, while sheltered homelessness increased 7% to 255 people, the highest level recorded in a decade.
The report also found that 76% of unsheltered people had ties to Pasadena, including 57% who were last housed in the city and had lived there an average of 21 years before losing housing.
Nearly one-third of unsheltered respondents reported being affected by the Eaton Fire, with 9% saying the wildfire caused their housing loss.
Housing officials said the findings reinforce the city’s need for additional shelter options for single adults.
“Shelter resources are especially needed for single adults,” the report states. “On the night of the count, all unsheltered people were single adults, and no families with minor children were found without shelter.”
The committee’s discussion comes immediately before a separate agenda item launching a discussion on Pasadena’s planned year-round shelter, a project city leaders have identified as a top priority.
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