Homelessness in Los Angeles County and the city of Los Angeles has seen a significant increase, according to the most recent homeless count released on Thursday. The count revealed a 9% year-over-year increase in homelessness in the county and a 10% jump in the city. City and county leaders expressed disappointment with the results and called for urgent action to address the crisis.
The point-in-time count conducted in January showed that 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 in the county and 41,980 in the city last year.
Despite some progress made through initiatives like the Inside Safe program, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass emphasized the need for more urgency and resources to tackle the issue. Bass expressed her wish for the crisis to be treated as a national emergency, allowing for the involvement of organizations like FEMA.
While the mayor’s Inside Safe program has successfully moved 14,000 unhoused individuals into some form of housing, the number of homeless people in the Southland region has continued to rise over the past five years. In 2018, there were 52,765 homeless individuals counted in the county and 31,285 in the city.
To address the scale of the problem, Bass highlighted the importance of involvement from the private sector and the general public. She suggested launching a public relations campaign to encourage property owners to provide housing opportunities for the homeless.
Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kellum, the Executive Director of the Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority, emphasized the impact of economic forces on struggling residents and stressed the need for further action to address the crisis. Kellum acknowledged the increase in homelessness and called for a collective effort to understand why people are suffering in this way.
Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Janice Hahn also expressed disappointment with the results and called for increased cooperation between the county and the city. Hahn acknowledged the efforts made by some cities but emphasized the need for more solutions-oriented approaches.
The homeless count was coordinated by the Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority (LAHSA), a joint powers authority involving both the city and county of Los Angeles. Volunteers worked in groups to count unsheltered individuals, tents, vehicles, and makeshift shelters across the county.
LAHSA officials had previously stated that the end of one-time federal pandemic assistance programs could lead to more housing insecurity and fewer resources for re-housing systems to respond. In an effort to improve future counts, LAHSA plans to deploy make-up count teams for the 2023 count and consider uncounted tracts that lack data.
The annual homeless count began in 2016 to provide analysis and trends on homelessness in the county and to guide the distribution of homelessness program funds.
The disappointing results of the homeless count highlight the urgent need for increased efforts and resources to address the homelessness crisis in Los Angeles.
How has the number of homeless individuals in the city of Los Angeles changed over the past five years?
City of Los Angeles.
The latest homeless count in Los Angeles County and the city of Los Angeles has revealed a concerning increase in homelessness. The count, conducted in January, showed a 9% year-over-year rise in homelessness in the county and a 10% jump in the city. Leaders of both the city and county expressed their disappointment with these results and stressed the need for urgent action to address the crisis.
According to the point-in-time count, 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 in the county and 41,980 in the city last year.
Despite the progress made through initiatives like the Inside Safe program, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass emphasized the need for greater urgency and resources to tackle the issue. She expressed her desire for the crisis to be treated as a national emergency, enabling the involvement of organizations like FEMA.
Although the mayor’s Inside Safe program has successfully relocated 14,000 unhoused individuals into some form of housing, the number of homeless people in the Southland region has continued to rise over the past five years. In 2018, there were 52,765 homeless individuals counted in the county and 31,285 in the city of Los Angeles.
The rising homelessness crisis in Los Angeles demands immediate attention and swift action. It’s unsettling to witness the alarming surge in such a prosperous city. Urgent measures must be taken to provide shelter, support services, and ultimately, long-term solutions to address this pressing issue.
It’s heartbreaking to read about the alarming surge in homelessness in Los Angeles. Urgent action is indeed needed to address this crisis and help those in desperate need. No one should have to endure such hardship and uncertainty. Let’s come together as a community and work towards finding effective and lasting solutions.