Santa Cruz County saw a spike in the number of homeless people over the past two years. A biennial homelessness survey out this week revealed a 30% jump in the number of people living on the streets. The 2013 report found the number of homeless adults and children at 3,536, up 765 since the 2011 count. Un-sheltered numbers were up as well, with 44% on the street and 28% living in cars or other vehicles. 230 additional homeless persons are now living in Santa Cruz compared to two years ago, and 373 new homeless persons were found living in the Live Oak area.
