While the number of homeless people has increased across Fresno and Madera counties since last year, according to a point-in-time count in January, local officials say they’re closer to turning the corner on one of California’s most vexing problems.

“What we saw was a 6.6% increase in homelessness total, which is lower than what we’re seeing trending in California,” said Jody Ketcheside, vice chair of the Fresno Madera Continuum of Care, on Wednesday following the release of this year’s numbers.

“What that tells me is we’re on the right track but we have a ton more work to do to get a handle on things. But it is a positive sign for us at the continuum that we are at least trending on the low end of what’s happening across the state.”

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Ketcheside noted that some California communities have seen a 20% rise in homeless since the 2022 count.