The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority released the results of its 2024 Homelessness Census on Friday, and the numbers point in a positive direction for a city and county desperate to solve their homelessness problem.
The tally shows there are 75,312 homeless people in Los Angeles County and 45,252 in the city, down 0.3% and 2.2%, respectively, from last year.
“This year’s homeless counts give us optimism about the direction of homeless outreach efforts across Los Angeles County,” said LAHSA CEO Va-Lecia Adams Kellam.
Planters used to block Hollywood homeless camps ordered removed
While a decline in the overall homeless population may not seem like much, Los Angeles has made significant progress when it comes to its sheltered population: The city saw a 10% decrease in its street homeless population, the largest decline in the past nine years.
A large homeless camp takes over a Hollywood sidewalk. (KTLA)
The number of temporary evacuation shelters in the city also decreased by 38%.
“For years, increases in homelessness have been documented and we have felt it in our neighborhoods, but we have embraced change — and we have changed the trajectory of this crisis and set Los Angeles in a new direction,” said Mayor Karen Bass. “By embracing the status quo, setting politics aside, and working together, there is nothing we can’t do.”
The number is based on a three-day survey in January that counted people living on the streets, in their cars, in tents and temporary housing.
“For the first time in years, we are seeing fewer people sleeping on the streets and more people staying in shelters,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn, who represents District 4. “We’ve been focusing on shelters and making good progress in persuading people to come to shelters. The next step is to build more permanent supportive housing and invest in long-term solutions to this crisis.”
A large homeless camp takes over a Hollywood sidewalk. (KTLA)
The news of the drop in homelessness coincidentally came on the same day that the U.S. Supreme Court cracked down on the rights of homeless people. The court ruled Friday that local governments can ban homeless people from sleeping outdoors.
Reactions to the ruling have been mixed. California Governor Gavin Newsom said the ruling “resolves legal ambiguity that has prevented the removal of dangerous encampments.”
But Mr Bass said the ruling was “not effective and it will not save lives” and “should not be used” as an excuse to “get out of this problem by making an arrest”.