Despite significant investments in housing and intervention programs, the number of individuals experiencing homelessness in the Los Angeles area continues to rise. The most recent count, released on Thursday, revealed a 9% year-over-year increase in homelessness in the county and a 10% jump in the city.
According to the results of the point-in-time count conducted in January, there were 75,518 people experiencing homelessness in the county and 46,260 in the city of Los Angeles. These numbers represent an increase from 69,144 and 41,980, respectively, from the previous year.
This steady climb in the homeless population has been observed over the past five years, with 52,765 homeless individuals counted in the county and 31,285 in the city in 2018.
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Janice Hahn expressed disappointment with these results, stating, “It is frustrating to have more people fall into homelessness even as we are investing significant resources into efforts to bring people inside. We need more cities to step up and support solutions to this crisis.”
Hahn remains hopeful that the partnership between the county and city of Los Angeles, along with continued efforts, will help turn these trends around by 2023.
The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), in collaboration with both the city and county of Los Angeles, conducted the count between January 24-26. Volunteers worked in groups of four to count the number of unsheltered individuals, tents, vehicles, and makeshift shelters in their designated areas.
During a press conference, CEO of LAHSA Va Lecia Adams Kellum acknowledged the worsening crisis on the streets and emphasized the urgency with which the city, county, and LAHSA are now moving to house the homeless population.
The increase in the homeless population in Los Angeles County aligns with similar trends observed in other major cities across the United States. Chicago and Portland experienced double-digit increases of 57% and 20%, respectively. Several Southern California counties, including San Bernardino (+26%), San Diego (+22%), Kern (+22%), and Riverside (+12%), also saw larger increases than Los Angeles.
Unhoused individuals in interim housing remained steady at 20,363, indicating that the rise in unsheltered homelessness contributed to the overall increase in the point-in-time count.
The data reveals a disproportionate impact on Black individuals, who experience homelessness at a significantly higher rate than their prevalence in the population. Latinos make up the largest group experiencing homelessness, accounting for over 42% of the population. Additionally, approximately 30% of unhoused individuals reported experiencing substance use disorder, while 25% reported a serious mental illness.
Mayor Karen Bass and County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath discussed their collaborative efforts to address unsheltered homelessness. Bass emphasized the vast challenge the city faces and pledged to continue working urgently to bring Angelenos indoors. The unified approach between different levels of government aims to tackle the root causes of homelessness, invest in families, make housing more affordable, and preserve existing homes.
Although progress has been made, with over 14,000 people transitioning from the streets to interim or permanent housing in the first six months of Mayor Bass’s administration, there is still work ahead to end unsheltered homelessness. The discontinuation of federal pandemic assistance programs may lead to increased housing insecurity and fewer resources for re-housing systems to respond.
A recent study by UC San Francisco’s Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative identified unaffordable rents as the primary cause of homelessness among Californians. Half of the study participants reported receiving a five-day or shorter warning before losing their homes.
The city and county are making progress in creating affordable homes, with approximately 8,200 expected to be developed this year. However, leaders recognize the need for more affordable housing. Measures like ULA and the upcoming LA County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency have the potential to further help people stay in their homes and increase affordable housing development.
LAHSA reported making 22,540 placements in coordination with its partners in 2022. The annual count, which began in 2016, provides crucial analysis and trends to address homelessness and distribute funds for homelessness programs.
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