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 can local and national organizations collaborate to effectively address the growing crisis of homelessness in the City of Los Angeles
City of Los Angeles, indicating a concerning upward trend.
The recent homeless count in Los Angeles County and the city of Los Angeles has revealed a significant increase in homelessness. The county saw a 9% year-over-year rise, while the city experienced a 10% jump. City and county leaders have expressed disappointment with these results and have called for urgent action to address the crisis.
The point-in-time count conducted in January showed that there are now 75,518 people experiencing homelessness in the county and 46,260 in the city of Los Angeles. These figures represent an increase from 69,144 in the county and 41,980 in the city last year.
Despite some progress made through initiatives such as the Inside Safe program, L.A. Mayor Karen Bass has emphasized the need for more urgency and resources to tackle the issue. She wishes for the crisis to be treated as a national emergency, which would allow organizations like FEMA to become involved.
Although the Inside Safe program has successfully provided housing for 14,000 unhoused individuals, 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, highlighting a concerning trend.
It’s disheartening to learn about the steady increase in the Los Angeles homelessness crisis. Urgent action is undeniably necessary to address this pressing issue and offer support to those in need.
It is disheartening to witness the steady increase in homelessness crisis in Los Angeles. Urgent action is needed to address this alarming situation and provide immediate support to those who are experiencing homelessness. Let’s work together to find effective solutions and restore dignity to the lives of these individuals.