Richmond officials are tackling the pressing issue of homelessness with a focus on data-driven outreach and support services. During a recent crime prevention meeting, city leaders highlighted the efforts of the Coordinated Outreach and Engagement (CORE) team, which made significant strides in connecting with unhoused individuals in 2024.

The CORE team reported making 1,490 unduplicated contacts with people experiencing homelessness in Richmond last year. This figure underscores the importance of ongoing outreach, as it provides a more accurate snapshot of the unhoused population compared to the biennial Point in Time count conducted by Contra Costa County. While the Point in Time count offers a limited view, CORE's daily engagement allows for a more comprehensive understanding of the community's needs.

City officials emphasized the necessity of these outreach efforts, noting that CORE's contacts included 129 families and totaled 4,804 interactions throughout the year. This data is crucial for tailoring services and resources to those in need, especially as Richmond grapples with a shortage of available shelter beds. Currently, Contra Costa County has only 763 emergency shelter beds and 283 transitional housing beds, far from sufficient to meet the demand.

As Richmond continues to address homelessness, the city remains committed to enhancing its outreach strategies and collaborating with county services to provide necessary support for its unhoused residents. The meeting underscored the urgency of the situation and the need for ongoing efforts to ensure that no one is left without help.