Ramona's Annual Homeless Count Finds Slight Decline

Volunteers identify 8 unhoused individuals in the community, down from previous years

Jan. 30, 2026 at 3:07pm

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The annual Point-in-Time Count in Ramona, California found 8 homeless individuals, a slight decrease from the previous year's count of 9. The early morning count was coordinated by the San Diego Regional Task Force on Homelessness and involved volunteers from local homeless advocacy groups and the Sheriff's HART team. While the numbers have declined in recent years, organizers say accurately counting the homeless population remains challenging, with some individuals living in unregistered vehicles or in hard-to-access areas.

Why it matters

The Point-in-Time Count provides a crucial snapshot of homelessness in the region, helping direct resources and services to those in need. Ramona's declining numbers reflect broader trends in San Diego County, where homelessness dropped by 7% in the past year. However, the persistent presence of unhoused individuals highlights the ongoing need for affordable housing, mental health support, and other interventions to address the root causes of homelessness.

The details

The count was conducted on January 29th from 4-8 AM by a team of 10 volunteers, including homeless advocates from the PATH San Diego program and the Sheriff's HART (Homeless Assistance Resource Team). Most of the homeless individuals found were living in their vehicles, down from larger encampments in previous years. Organizers attribute the decline to efforts by HART to provide temporary hotel vouchers and PATH's work in securing stable housing. However, the count remains challenging, as some homeless residents move frequently or are difficult to access in the early morning hours.

  • The annual Point-in-Time Count took place on January 29, 2026 from 4-8 AM.
  • Last year's count in Ramona found 9 homeless individuals, down from 23 in 2023 and 13 in 2024.

The players

John Stevenson

The leader of the Ramona Homeless Project who helps organize the annual Point-in-Time Count and track homeless numbers in the community.

Kim Newcomer

A Ramona resident who participated in the Point-in-Time Count for the first time this year, overcoming initial fears to help survey the homeless population.

San Diego Regional Task Force on Homelessness

The organization that coordinates the annual Point-in-Time Count across San Diego County to estimate the local homeless population.

PATH San Diego

A homeless advocacy program that participated in the Ramona count and helps connect unhoused individuals with stable housing.

Sheriff's HART (Homeless Assistance Resource Team)

A team from the San Diego Sheriff's Department that took part in the Ramona count and provides services like temporary hotel vouchers to the homeless.

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What they’re saying

“We had a good crew out there that really beat the bushes.”

— John Stevenson, Leader, Ramona Homeless Project (San Diego Union-Tribune)

“These people know what they're doing. This count is important so we can get the resources to help people.”

— Kim Newcomer, Ramona Resident (San Diego Union-Tribune)

“These people are just like you and me. They're just having a hard time. A lot of people are struggling to get food on the table and pay rent. It's difficult. If anything goes wrong you could be one paycheck away from not making it.”

— Kim Newcomer, Ramona Resident (San Diego Union-Tribune)

What’s next

The San Diego Regional Task Force on Homelessness will analyze the data from the Point-in-Time Count across the county to identify trends and direct resources to areas of greatest need.

The takeaway

While the decline in Ramona's homeless population is encouraging, the persistent presence of unhoused individuals underscores the ongoing challenges the community faces. Continued collaboration between local advocates, law enforcement, and service providers will be crucial to addressing the root causes of homelessness and ensuring all residents have access to stable, affordable housing.