Thousands of Young Californians Face Homelessness Without a Parent or Guardian—and Without Shelter
Every year, on one of the last nights in January, communities across the U.S. attempt to count how many people are spending the night in emergency shelters, safe havens, transitional housing, or unsheltered locations (like cars, bus stations, abandoned buildings, or on the streets). It’s a snapshot, and likely an undercount, given the difficulty of finding and gathering accurate information about every person experiencing homelessness that night—especially those who are unsheltered.
Even so, numbers from the 2025 point-in-time count are stark. Nearly 182,000 Californians were recorded as homeless—a rate of 46 people per 10,000, more than double the national rate (22 per 10,000). Over 26,000 Californians counted that night were in families with children, representing 11% of everyone in homeless families with children nationwide.
Homelessness at any point in a child’s life can be traumatic. It can disrupt development and make kids more likely to experience poor physical health, emotional and behavioral difficulties, and academic struggles.
Point-in-Time Count of Unaccompanied Homeless Children and Young Adults Ages 0 to 24: California, 2025
The picture in California is especially striking for young people experiencing homelessness without a parent or guardian. Almost a quarter (23%) of all unaccompanied children and young adults under 25 nationwide were counted in California—nearly 2,000 more than any other state. The vast majority (96%) of these 8,086 young people were ages 18 to 24, but more than 350 were unaccompanied minors, over half of whom were spending the night in an unsheltered location.
Statewide, 57% of unaccompanied homeless young people were unsheltered, but rates varied widely across counties and county groups—from under 40% (Fresno-Madera) to over 90% (Marin; Sonoma) among locations counting at least 100 total homeless unaccompanied youth in 2025.
Coordinated state and local policies, investments, and services can prevent youth and families from becoming homeless, help re-establish stable housing when they do, and end long-term homelessness through permanent supportive housing. Read more on KidsData about specific policy and program options.
For more on the 2025 annual point-in-time count, visit the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Health Data Resources
National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH): 2022–2023 State Factsheets
The National Center for a System of Services for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs (CYSHCN) has updated its fact sheet series highlighting state-level progress on indicators measuring systems of care for CYSHCN. Check out the California results and stay tuned for updated CYSCHN data from the 2024 NSCH coming soon to KidsData.
Maternal Mental Health Trends in California
Anxiety and depression symptoms during and after pregnancy have been on the rise in California since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. A new data brief from the UCSF Center for Health Equity, drawing on estimates from the Maternal and Infant Health Assessment (MIHA), breaks down disparities by age, race, income, and other characteristics, and shares strategies and resources to improve mental health for all birthing people.
How much does California rely on federal data, and what happens if those data become less available or less reliable? Hillcrest Advisory has released the first findings from a project examining these questions, and what the answers could mean for public trust in data overall. The findings point to opportunities for California to strengthen its data infrastructure in response to federal data disruptions.
Posted by kidsdata.org
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