Fresno, Madera counties take new approach to Point-In-Time homelessness count

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Fresno and Madera counties took a new approach to their point-in-time homelessness count this year.

"What we have to do is stem the tide of people becoming homeless for the first time or repeat and that's what we're addressing," Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer said.

In years past, volunteers with the Fresno-Madera Continuum of Care (FMCoC) visually counted the people they saw experiencing homelessness.

But in 2026, Action News was there as volunteers took a new survey-based approach.

"We are now doing a deeper dive on the individuals who are voluntarily sharing with us how they became homeless, what their needs are, what some of their challenges are," Fresno County Supervisor for District 5, Nathan Magsig, stated.

County and city officials say preliminary numbers from this new process indicate that, among those experiencing homelessness, 1,619 were unsheltered and 1,635 were sheltered.

"This is a more effective way to deal with homelessness because as the population of the homeless changes and their needs change, we need to make sure that our organizations, our services that we provide, change to meet the needs of the people in our community," Magsig explained.

However, those who did not agree to the survey were not included in the count.

This new approach comes after 2025's count revealed 4,905 people were reported homeless without data on their shelter status.

At that time, homelessness was up 9.2% from the last count in 2023.

"Every increase reminds us that homelessness is one of the most complex and persistent challenges facing our region," FMCoC Chair Laura Moreno said.

Across California, there was a nearly 2.8% decline in homelessness.

Nationwide, it's down 3.3%.

Officials say this new approach will add to other data sets and lessons learned to decrease homelessness.

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