 Placer County has the second lowest rate of homelessness among all California counties.
This week, county staff - from Health & Human Services to law enforcement - joined partners from other cities and nonprofit organizations to support the Homeless Resource Council of the Sierras' annual Point-In-Time count.
The local annual count is part of a nationwide effort, required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, to assess homelessness by collecting data on individuals and families experiencing unsheltered or sheltered homelessness. The information gathered helps identify community needs, allocate resources and develop strategies to address homelessness effectively.
Dozens of volunteers helped with the count, the results of which are expected to be published in late spring. Since 2020, homelessness in Placer has slightly declined, as rates statewide have increased. Last year (2024), there were 702 homeless individuals counted in Placer County – the second lowest rate per capita (17.0 per 10,000) statewide. Of the unsheltered population, 56% were in south Placer, 40% in mid Placer and 3% in eastern Placer.
 On Jan. 27, 1943, Mr. and Mrs. J.T. Riley of Auburn received a letter from their son, Lt. Bob Riley, who was serving in the Army Air Corps as a P-38 combat pilot in North Africa during World War II. In the letter, Riley explained that he had narrowly escaped death in his latest mission. He had taken fire and lost an engine, but was able to keep his damaged craft aloft the two hours it took to return to base. After he landed, the ground crew discovered four high explosive cannon shell holes along with nine 30-caliber holes. His P-38 was determined to be unrepairable and was promptly disassembled for parts to repair other aircraft.
From an excerpt of his letter published in the Jan. 28, 1943, Auburn Journal: “You sure can learn a lot from a scrap like that though, and let me tell you, it will be a long cold day in July before they catch me like that again. So don’t worry about that. I’ve lived through the worst stages, so I’ve (got) a darn good chance for the rest.”
Bob Riley was a graduate of both Placer High School and Placer Junior College (now Sierra College). He flew 53 combat missions over North Africa and Europe during World War II. He remained in the Air Force after it was officially established in 1947 from the former Army Air Corps and began flying fighter jets. He retired from the Air Force in the 1960s as a lieutenant colonel.
In 2007, at the age of 86, he became a walking tour docent for the Placer County Museums. Before his death in 2017, he donated some of his uniforms and medals to the Placer County Museums. Riley is buried in the Old Auburn Cemetery.
From our collection: Lt. Col. Bob Riley’s U.S. Air Force blue flight cap, c. 1959
 Whether it’s representing your community or sharing your expertise on topics like agriculture or parks, there are always opportunities for you to help advise county leaders on the issues that matter to you most. Recruitment is open now to fill seats on the following committees or commissions, among others. Learn more and apply
Current recruitments include:
 Don’t miss the fun coming this next week in...
Rocklin: Storytime @ the Fire Station Rocklin Fire Department
Auburn: Peaceful Winter Morning Hike at Big Hill Preserves, Take a Hike and Fly a Kite – an Open Preserve Day, Broom Battle!, Farmers’ Market
North Lake Tahoe: Sierra Community House Food Distribution Kings Beach
...and many Placer County Library and Placer County Museum events.
Visit our regional partners to discover more of the fun happening right here in Placer County!
Placer County Visitors' Bureau
North Tahoe Community Alliance
Tahoe City Downtown Association
The Arts Council of Placer County
Placer Valley Tourism
PlacerGROWN
Placer Wine Trail
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