San Diego can’t keep up with the number of people falling into homelessness. Will a new data program help?

The number of people falling into homelessness in San Diego County is outpacing the number of those being sheltered, according to the Regional Task Force on Homelessness.  

The Task Force issued its first monthly report on Tuesday. It shows that, for every 10 people who find housing, another 13 become homeless for the first time in San Diego County. 

Over the past year, around 15,000 people experienced homelessness for the first time. Around 12,000 homeless people secured housing during the same time period.

The report’s release coincided with the Board of Supervisors approving a new data analytics program to help prevent homelessness.  

The policy, along with a new app-based tool, will help county employees predict a person’s risk of becoming homeless and connect unhoused individuals with services more easily. The plan was unanimously approved by the board.

“If we can prevent anybody from being on the streets, that is the best value,” Supervisor Joel Anderson said.