Mountain View Homeless Population Surges 56% in Two Years,New Report Reveals
MOUNTAIN VIEW,CA – A newly released report indicates a significant increase in homelessness within Mountain View,with teh city’s unhoused population jumping 56% over the past two years. The findings, published recently, paint a stark picture of growing housing insecurity and highlight disparities within the county’s homeless community.
The report details the factors contributing to homelessness, citing job or income loss, family or household dissolution, health issues, and rising rents/evictions as the primary drivers. A survey of 1,534 homeless individuals revealed that a substantial majority – 70% – had resided in Santa Clara County for a decade or more, and 95% were previously California residents.
Mountain View has been actively addressing homelessness, dedicating $1 million annually to services for those experiencing housing insecurity since 2016 and working to expand affordable housing options. In June, the City Council adopted a seven-to-ten year roadmap aimed at mitigating homelessness through affordable housing development and regional collaboration with other cities and Santa Clara County.
Despite these efforts, the city continues to grapple with the issue. A 2020 ban on oversized vehicle parking on most Mountain View streets, actively enforced as 2022, has limited where individuals living in RVs can legally park, though some road segments remain accessible. The city has allocated 105 “safe parking” spots, including 46 at Shoreline Lot B, and organizations like Move Mountain View are advocating for additional spaces in locations like church parking lots.
The report also revealed significant racial disparities within the county’s homeless population. Hispanic and Latino residents are disproportionately represented, comprising 50% of those experiencing homelessness despite making up only 25% of the overall county population. Black residents account for 12% of the homeless population, while representing just 2% of the county’s residents. Conversely, Asian residents are underrepresented, making up 7% of the homeless population but 40% of the county’s overall population. White residents showed relatively similar proportions, at 36% of the homeless population and 33% of the county’s overall residents.
This report underscores the escalating challenges facing Mountain View and Santa Clara County in addressing the growing crisis of homelessness.
(This story originally appeared in the Mountain View Voice. Hannah Bensen is a journalist covering inequality and economic trends affecting middle- and low-income people.She is a California Local News Fellow.)
