A glimpse of El Cajon's streets where the homeless population is on the rise.
El Cajon is grappling with a significant increase in its homeless population, contrary to a decrease across San Diego County. Reports show unsheltered homelessness rose from 283 to over 340 individuals, totaling 1,039 homeless in the city. City officials question the accuracy of data and counting methods, stating potential miscounts could inflate these figures. With homelessness rising, local leaders are reassessing their strategies and considering substantial investments to tackle the issue, alongside the potential for more frequent population assessments.
El Cajon is facing a significant challenge as its homeless population has surged, in stark contrast to the overall decline observed across San Diego County. A recent countywide tally revealed that while homelessness has decreased in several areas, El Cajon reported an increase in its total homeless count, raising concerns among city leaders and local shelter providers.
Data from January 2025 shows that El Cajon’s unsheltered homeless population has climbed from 283 individuals last year to more than 340 this year. The total homeless count in the city surged to 1,039, marking an increase from 800 in 2024. This rise places El Cajon in a unique situation as other cities in the county, including Escondido, have seen their unsheltered homeless populations decrease significantly. Escondido’s count dropped from over 400 to 307 within the same time frame.
City officials in El Cajon are expressing frustration over the reported figures. Some local shelter operators, such as those at the East County Transitional Living Center, have not noted a substantial rise in their services, raising questions about the accuracy of the data. City leaders, including Councilmember Steve Goble, have emphasized that no other area in the county experienced an increase similar to what El Cajon is facing.
The inconsistency in data has prompted speculation regarding the counting methodology used during the point-in-time count. City Manager Graham Mitchell pointed out that certain areas counted might actually fall outside El Cajon’s municipal boundaries, potentially accounting for a discrepancy of around 38 individuals. A spokesperson from the Regional Task Force on Homelessness confirmed that census tracts do not always align with city limits, which could lead to miscounting.
El Cajon officials have also raised concerns about potential double-counting, particularly in areas like Second Street, where more than 70 individuals were recorded. This has led to criticisms of the counting process, with Mayor Bill Wells labeling the figures as “inflated” and “inaccurate.” Officials argue that the count may have included individuals residing outside the city and those staying in local hotels as part of services provided in El Cajon.
In light of these issues, El Cajon leaders have turned their attention towards California’s Housing First policies, favoring alternative approaches that emphasize treatment and public safety over simply providing housing. Additionally, the city council is exploring practical next steps, which may involve reviewing local aid organizations and potentially investing over $1 million in enhanced efforts to address homelessness, including more frequent encampment sweeps.
There is also interest in conducting independent counts of the homeless population in El Cajon every three months in an effort to gather more reliable data. A previous internal count performed by Chula Vista yielded 510 homeless individuals, closely matching the task force’s reported figure of 503, indicating that more frequent assessments could lead to improved accuracy in understanding local homelessness trends.
Overall, the recent countywide point-in-time count, which documented a total of 9,905 individuals experiencing homelessness, indicated a 7% overall reduction in these numbers throughout the county. Notable decreases were observed in key areas, such as San Diego (down 14%) and Chula Vista (down 6%). However, some troubling trends persist, including a 5% increase in the number of homeless seniors and a concerning 25% decrease in the number of veterans experiencing homelessness.
The counting methodology, which relies on a one-day snapshot and numerous volunteer efforts, has been criticized for its susceptibility to external influences. The counts are mandated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the eligibility of federal aid. There are increasing calls directed towards the county government to take a more proactive stance in addressing homelessness, suggesting that a more tailored approach may be necessary to suit the diverse needs of various jurisdictions.
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