More Santa Clara County residents are falling into homelessness for the first time as the cost of living rises.

There are a record 10,711 homeless people living in the county this year, according to a count conducted in January. The county surveyed 1,534 homeless people during that time and 58% reported being newly homeless, according to recently released data. That’s almost double the 34% of people who reported being homeless for the first time during the previous count in 2023.

The loss of a job or income is the primary reason people report becoming homeless, at 27%. Divorce or breakups are also contributors at 17%, and 12% of people report becoming homeless due to an eviction or rent increase.

“The lack of rent control in Santa Clara County has a big thing to do with it,” Todd Langto

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