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A startling trend has hit Santa Clara County over the past two years -- more people have fallen into homelessness for the first time and can't find a way out.

San Jose Spotlight reports Santa Clara County's 2025 point-in-time count found more than 4,600 people have been homeless for a year or longer – with a disabling condition that makes maintaining work or housing difficult, known as chronic homelessness.

That's a 21 percent increase from 2023, when there were about 3,800 chronically homeless residents county-wide.

The county surveyed about 1,500 people as part of the report to better understand their circumstances.

The loss of a job or income is the primary reason people report becoming homeless. Divorce or breakups are also contributors

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