The number of homeless people in Los Angeles is steady for the first time in six years, according to new data released by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) on Friday. January’s Point-In-Time survey showed a 2.2% drop in the city and a 0.7% drop in the county since 2023.
The rates aren’t considered a statistically significant decrease, but they aren’t an increase either. That’s encouraging since homeless numbers had been increasing every year since 2018.
This year’s improvement was driven by a drop in unsheltered homeless. That decline was significant. The city’s unsheltered population dropped 10.4% to 29,275. The county saw a 5.1% reduction, bringing the unsheltered population 55,365.
LAHSA officials and Mayor Karen Bass credited increased efforts to get unhoused people off of the streets. In particular, they pointed to Bass’ Inside Safe program.
“For so many years, the count has shown increases in homelessness, and we have all felt that in our neighborhoods. But we leaned into change. And we have changed the trajectory of this crisis and have moved L.A. in a new direction,” said Mayor Bass. “There is nothing we cannot do by taking on the status quo, putting politics aside, and rolling up our sleeves to work together. I want to thank the City Council, the County Board of Supervisors, LAHSA, our state, federal and community partners and our service provider partners for locking arms to confront this crisis with the urgency that it requires. This is not the end, it is the beginning – and we will build on this progress, together.”
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger issued a statement emphasizing the work that must be done to further reduce homelessness in Los Angeles. Barger’s remarks made mention of an important Supreme Court ruling that was handed down Thursday, giving local governments more power to restrict public camping.
“Today’s Point in Time Count results estimate that Los Angeles County has more than 75,000 individuals experiencing homelessness. That big number, along with the finding that about one-fourth of those self-report serious mental illness and substance use disorder, fuels a set of moral imperatives for County and city leaders alike: cut red tape, build more housing faster, and offer more mental health support and addiction treatment,” said Barger.
“To decrease the number of homeless individuals living on our streets, we need to use every tool available to compassionately extend housing hand in hand with supportive services. We must also be balanced in our approach to enforcement so that communities can enjoy public spaces taken over by homeless encampments. The Supreme Court ruling empowers local governments to make judicious decisions about when to apply enforcement.
“I want to be clear: the criminalization of people experiencing homelessness is wrong. But, having another tool to make measurable and effective change is critical. Our County and its cities must work collaboratively and in sync with one another so that we can successfully end homelessness. Homelessness is not a problem that can simply be shuffled around.”