VICTORVILLE, Calif. (VVNG.com) — Victorville’s unsheltered homeless population has dropped 68 percent over the past two years, while the city’s overall homeless count has declined 28 percent, according to the latest Point in Time Count released by San Bernardino County last week.
City officials said Victorville’s overall homeless count is now the lowest it has been in six years. The city, which once had the second-highest homeless population in San Bernardino County, now ranks third behind San Bernardino and Fontana.
“The steep decline in Victorville’s homelessness is a direct result of our City’s strategy prioritizing transitional housing, healthcare, and street outreach through our Victorville Wellness Center that opened in December 2023,” Victorville Mayor Liz Becerra said in a written statement. “We are gratified to see our Wellness Center be so impactful in such a short time.”
According to the 2026 Point in Time Count, Victorville was the only High Desert city to record a decrease in homelessness from the previous year. The city’s unsheltered homeless population — individuals living on the streets or in other uninhabitable locations — fell to 104 in 2026, down from 141 in 2025 and 326 in 2024.
Victorville’s total homeless count, which includes both sheltered and unsheltered individuals, dropped to 441 in 2026, compared to 448 in 2025 and 611 in 2024.
City officials said the unsheltered count is especially significant because it reflects the number of people living in the most visible and vulnerable conditions, while individuals placed in shelters are connected to safer environments and long-term housing opportunities.
“Having our unsheltered homeless count decline so significantly since opening our Wellness Center shows that our strategy is working and it’s been possible through the tremendous effort of our City Staff, community collaborators, and our Wellness Center operator, Symba,” Victorville City Manager Keith Metzler said in a written statement. “We are committed to continuing the hard work to reduce homelessness in Victorville even further for the benefit of our community.”
The Victorville Wellness Center opened in December 2023 as a low-barrier, non-congregate interim housing facility developed primarily through a $28 million HomeKey grant from the State of California. The 170-bed campus provides interim housing along with on-site medical and supportive services aimed at helping individuals and families transition into permanent housing.
The facility also allows pets, which city officials said helps remove barriers that often prevent individuals from accepting shelter and supportive care.
Victorville also uses revenue from Measure P, the one-cent sales tax approved by voters in 2020, to fund a Homeless Engagement Team. According to the city, the team canvasses the community, engages with unhoused residents, and connects them with resources including the Wellness Center.
The outreach effort is supported by the city’s Animal Care and Control Officers, along with county agencies and local nonprofit organizations that assist with case management, housing navigation, diversion services, family reunification, and placement into long-term care and housing programs.
As of May 7, city officials said 265 clients had graduated from the Wellness Center into permanent housing since operations began.
Additional information about Victorville’s homelessness programs and the Wellness Center is available at VictorvilleCA.gov/HomelessnessSolutions.
Copyright 2026 Victor Valley News Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Note to readers: If you value our reporting and want to see it continue, consider becoming a monthly supporter. Your contribution helps keep independent, local news accessible to everyone. Support local news today!
