Lake County Gazette

Lake County has released the findings of its annual Point-in-Time Count, which assesses the number of sheltered and unsheltered individuals experiencing homelessness on a single night each January.

According to Lake County, the 2025 Point-in-Time Count identified 561 individuals experiencing homelessness in the area on one night in January. Of these, 439 were in emergency shelters, 64 were in transitional housing, and 58 were unsheltered in locations such as vehicles, parks, or abandoned buildings. Over 100 trained volunteers conducted the overnight count using standardized questions and distributed care packages during their outreach efforts.

Though this year’s count is lower than the previous year's total of 705, it remains one of the highest figures recorded in over a decade. Annualized data through September 30, 2024, showed that 1,452 individuals accessed emergency shelter (up from 1,158), first-time homelessness increased by 18% to reach 1,097 people, the average shelter stay rose from 110 to 132 nights, and the number of families in shelters declined from 119 to 105.

Sandy Hart, Lake County board chair, emphasized that "homelessness isn’t just a housing issue; it’s a human one." She said that behind every tent or shelter bed is "a person or family with a story," sharing many of the same hopes as others. Hart added that it is crucial to remember that those experiencing homelessness look just like anyone else. The County Board's role is not only to manage homelessness but also to help provide opportunities for individuals and families to have a place they can call home. She affirmed their commitment to leading this work through creative problem-solving and innovative approaches.

The Lake County Board comprises 19 elected members representing various districts and is tasked with approving the county budget, financial matters, and ordinances affecting government departments. Meetings are held both in person at the County Administrative Tower in Waukegan and remotely via Zoom. Schedules and agendas are available online. The board convenes monthly for regular sessions along with additional committee meetings, all of which can be viewed live on LCTV.