The number of people experiencing homelessness in Northeast Florida increased 14% over last year, according to the nonprofit Changing Homelessness’ annual Point in Time Count.
In January, volunteers canvassed the streets and shelters in Baker, Clay, Duval and Nassau counties.
Of a total of 1,146 people counted, 1,071 were in Duval. They included the 379 people who were living outside, in a car or another spot that’s not meant to be shelter — representing a 31% “unsheltered” increase since last year.
Still, Changing Homelessness says the total number of people experiencing homelessness in the region has decreased by 42% since 2016. It also notes that the number of people who meet the definition of “chronic homelessness” (meaning they’ve been unhoused for more than a year) dropped significantly in the last year.