You know me—I’m all about small-town pride and celebrating the good around us. But sometimes we have to talk about the hard stuff, too. And right now, one of the hardest truths facing Nevada County is this: what we’re doing to address homelessness isn’t working. The numbers tell the story, and the story is painful. Despite resources, programs, and community effort, the crisis continues to grow.

According to the 2024 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count, there were 516 people experiencing homelessness in Nevada County—split evenly between sheltered and unsheltered . Fast forward to the 2025 count, and we’re still seeing 466 people unhoused, with 198 chronically homeless adults, 24 families, and 20 unaccompanied youth . These aren’t just numbers—they’re neighbors, classmates, veterans, and parents trying to survive.

Why the Current System Falls Short

Bed Capacity vs. Need

Our county has about 328–386 shelter and housing program beds at any given time . Yet the PIT count keeps hovering between 466–516. That math doesn’t add up. Too many people remain without access to even a temporary bed, let alone stable housing.

The Housing Market Squeeze

It’s no secret that Nevada County is experiencing crushing affordability issues. More than 2,800 low-income renter households here don’t have an affordable home, and nearly 70% of extremely low-income households are severely cost-burdened—meaning they’re paying over half their income toward rent. Average rents hit $1,307/month by late 2023, requiring an income of about $25.14/hour to afford—far outpacing the income of the average single adult.

Social Issues Fueling the Crisis

Homelessness doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Domestic violence calls numbered 267 in 2023 . Food insecurity is also rampant, with groups like Interfaith Food Ministry serving 1,500+ families every month. These overlapping crises mean more families are being pushed into impossible situations—and the safety net is too thin.

Let’s not forget: 1 in 20 youth in Nevada County face homelessness . That’s kids going to school, doing homework, and trying to grow up in the middle of instability. Veterans, families, and individuals with chronic health needs are all represented in these statistics.

The cycle isn’t being broken—it’s just being managed.

Why More Needs to Be Done

While projects like Brunswick Commons in Grass Valley (41 affordable units with wraparound services) are steps in the right direction, they aren’t enough to meet the scale of the need. We need stronger policies, expanded affordable housing, better wraparound support, and multi-department coordinated action. Otherwise, we’re just patching holes in a sinking boat.

This isn’t about politics; it’s about people. It’s time for the tight-knit, caring, resilient Nevada County community to make a real change in how we help the homeless because we can’t ignore the obvious anymore.

It’s clear that Nevada County has the heart and the grit, but the system isn’t catching up. With hundreds still unhoused, growing rent pressures, and families in crisis, we have to admit: what we’re doing now is not enough. If we want different results, we need bigger changes—more affordable housing, stronger prevention, and more compassion woven into policy before it’s too late.

Let’s keep this conversation alive, let’s demand better, and let’s push for a Nevada County where everyone has a safe place to call home.