El Cajon Homeless Count Lower Than Reported | NBC 7 San Diego
- Following public criticism from El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, the San Diego Regional Task Force on Homelessness (RTFH) updated its homeless count for the city on Tuesday.
- The initial count indicated El Cajon was the onyl city in the region with a notable increase, jumping from 283 to 344 unsheltered individuals, a 21.6% surge.
- RTFH conducted a subsequent analysis and found that 24 individuals were indeed counted in an area outside El Cajon's boundaries.
El Cajon’s homeless count underwent revision after Mayor Bill Wells challenged teh initial figures, revealing a critical geographical miscalculation. The San Diego Regional Task Force on Homelessness (RTFH) adjusted its data following the mayor’s claims of inaccuracy. the role of accurate data is key in understanding the actual scope of the local homeless population. The original count suggested an increase in El Cajon’s unhoused population, leading to scrutiny and subsequent analysis by the RTFH, which found and fixed an error, with 24 individuals counted outside El Cajon’s boundaries. The county, including the city of San Diego, saw a decrease in the overall homelessness rate. We explore the methodology as part of this major adjustment. For more insights into this developing story, turn to News Directory 3 resources. Discover what’s next …
El Cajon Homeless Count Revised After Mayor Disputes Initial Role
Updated June 18, 2025
Following public criticism from El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, the San Diego Regional Task Force on Homelessness (RTFH) updated its homeless count for the city on Tuesday. The original Point-In-Time Count, conducted Jan. 30, showed a meaningful rise in El Cajon’s unhoused population, a finding Wells called “inflated” and “inaccurate” on May 23.
The initial count indicated El Cajon was the onyl city in the region with a notable increase, jumping from 283 to 344 unsheltered individuals, a 21.6% surge. Wells, who is seeking re-election, contended that the county included individuals outside city limits and double-counted others. He also questioned the methodology used to determine the role of voucher programs.
RTFH conducted a subsequent analysis and found that 24 individuals were indeed counted in an area outside El Cajon’s boundaries. The task force said it will revise census tract designations to “El Cajon, including unincorporated communities” to reflect the geographic correction.The city and RTFH affirmed their commitment to improving data collection and clarity.
Wells acknowledged the task force’s efforts to clarify the numbers. He stated that the point-in-time count methodology has flaws that led to an overstatement of homelessness in El Cajon.
“It’s clear to me that there are some flaws in the point-in-time count methodology and that this resulted in the numbers of homeless in El Cajon being overstated,” Wells said.
Tamera Kohler, CEO of the Regional Task Force, described the Point-in-Time Count as ”an imperfect tool, but it is a vital one” for understanding homelessness. she emphasized that the data informs planning, funding, and service delivery. Kohler also valued the partnership with cities like El Cajon, whose feedback strengthens the count’s interpretation and transparency.
El Cajon City manager Graham Mitchell echoed this sentiment, noting the city’s gratitude for RTFH’s willingness to review the count and clarify details. He said accurate data is essential for understanding community challenges and making informed decisions.
The countywide count revealed an overall 7% decrease in homelessness, with a 14% drop in the city of San Diego. The January 2025 count involved more than 1,700 volunteers who identified 9,905 people experiencing homelessness, down from 10,605 the previous year.This total included 5,714 unsheltered individuals and 4,191 in shelters or transitional housing.
Several cities, including Carlsbad, Encinitas, Oceanside, La Mesa, and Chula Vista, also saw reductions in their homeless populations. However, the number of homeless senior citizens increased by 5%, with half becoming homeless for the first time.There was also a 7% rise in people living in vehicles, while homelessness among transitional-age youth declined by 22%. Unsheltered families dropped by 72%, and homeless veterans decreased by 25%.
What’s next
RTFH and El Cajon officials will continue to collaborate on refining data collection methods to ensure accurate future counts and improve resource allocation to address homelessness in the region. The role of accurate data is key for effective solutions.