Volunteers getting ready for the Homeless Count 2025 in Pasadena (Photo – Pasadena PIT Homeless Count team)
Pasadena made history in 1992 as the first city in California—and one of the first three cities in the nation—to conduct a dedicated Homeless Count. In 2025, the city continued this important effort with its latest Point-In-Time Homeless Count.
By Rena Kurlander
Originally scheduled for January, the Homeless Count was postponed due to the disruptive Eaton Fire. However, the city quickly rescheduled the event for February. On the evening of Wednesday, February 19, and the morning of Thursday, February 20, dedicated teams of volunteers and city staff fanned out to gather crucial data on homelessness across Pasadena.
The 2025 count took place during key time slots: Wednesday night from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm, and on Thursday, from 6:00 to 8:00 am. Teams from the Department of Housing, supported by volunteers, counted and surveyed individuals experiencing homelessness throughout the city. The Pasadena Police and Fire Departments also played a vital role, assisting in reaching hard-to-access areas like parks and freeway embankments.
Using innovative technology, the city’s Department of Information Technology provided dynamic survey tools, complete with GIS mapping features, to ensure accurate, real-time data collection. The count included individuals in public spaces as well as those in shelters and transitional housing. A special youth-focused count was conducted from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm, reflecting the city’s commitment to addressing the needs of younger populations.
The results of the 2025 Homeless Count will be compiled and made available to the public in the Summer of 2025, providing invaluable insight to guide future policies and initiatives aimed at alleviating homelessness in Pasadena.
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