Pasadena’s Homeless Plan Shows Progress, But Challenges Persist

The Pasadena Continuum of Care (CoC) Homeless Plan, a five-year roadmap to address the City’s homelessness crisis, has shown mixed results in its first year. 

According to a progress report presented to the Economic Development and Technology Committee on Tuesday, the City permanently housed 410 individuals in 2023, far exceeding its target of 211. However, Pasadena fell short of its goal to reduce homelessness by 13% compared to 2022, achieving only a 9% reduction.

Housing Director Bill Huang attributed the shortfall to a larger-than-expected inflow of people falling into homelessness. 

“Despite housing, permanently housing more people than we ever had, the inflow is also bigger than we have seen,” Huang told the committee.

Homeless Programs Coordinator Jennifer O’Reilly-Jones reported that 1,097 people experienced homelessness in Pasadena in 2023, down from 1,208 in 2022. She noted that 137 people fell into homelessness last year, 28% higher than the target of 107. 

O’Reilly-Jones also highlighted racial and ethnic disparities, with Black and Hispanic/Latino individuals overrepresented among the homeless population compared to their share of Pasadena’s general population.

Despite challenges, the City made progress in reducing chronic and veteran homelessness. O’Reilly-Jones emphasized the need for more ambitious housing targets and increased prevention efforts. “The need for increased efforts around prevention is clear,” she said.

The CoC expects several projects in 2024 to drive progress toward its goals, including Heritage Square South, a permanent supportive housing development for seniors; a Safe Parking program at All Saints Church; the expansion of the Bad Weather Shelter’s capacity; and an interim housing program for transitional age youth.

The report also indicated that the City exceeded its target for year-round shelter beds, providing enough for 40% of the homeless population on the night of the 2024 Homeless Count, surpassing the 32% goal.

The Housing Department manages the CoC, which is composed of nonprofit organizations, government agencies, faith-based organizations, advocates, and system partners. Approved in February 2022, the CoC Homeless Plan aims to reduce homelessness in Pasadena by 50% over five years by permanently housing 1,110 people cumulatively through 2028.