Los Angeles Homeless Count Tallies 75,000 Unhoused, Supervisor Barger Calls for Action

Los Angeles County’s homeless population has slightly decreased, according to the latest count released Friday. The 2024 Point in Time Count estimates 75,312 individuals are experiencing homelessness, down 0.27% from 2023, City News Service reported.

Supervisor Kathryn Barger responded to the results, emphasizing the urgency of addressing the crisis.

“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,” she said in an emailed statement.

Barger called on county and city leaders to “cut red tape, build more housing faster, and offer more mental health support and addiction treatment.” Her statement highlighted the need for a multifaceted approach to tackling homelessness.

The supervisor also addressed the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling on homeless encampments.

Barger wrote that “The Supreme Court ruling empowers local governments to make judicious decisions about when to apply enforcement.”

While asserting that criminalizing homelessness is wrong, Barger emphasized the importance of having tools to effect change. She called for a balanced approach to enforcement that allows communities to reclaim public spaces occupied by encampments.

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority reported a 5.1% decrease in unsheltered homelessness countywide, while the shelter count increased by 12.7%. In the city of Los Angeles, unsheltered homelessness dropped by 10.7%, with a 17.7% rise in shelter occupancy.

Officials attribute these trends to “unprecedented policy alignment and investments” from various levels of government, according to Paul Rubenstein, LAHSA’s deputy chief of external relations. He expressed cautious optimism about the direction of homelessness across the county.

Mayor Karen Bass welcomed the results, stating, “We have changed the trajectory of this crisis and have moved Los Angeles in a new direction.” She emphasized that this progress marks a beginning, not an end.

County Supervisor Janice Hahn noted the significance of the decrease in street homelessness and increase in shelter use. “We have focused on shelters and we are doing a better job convincing people to come inside,” she said.

The count revealed decreases in chronic homelessness, veteran homelessness, and homelessness among transition-age youth. However, family homelessness saw a slight increase of 2.2%, though many families are in temporary housing.

Barger stressed the importance of collaboration between the county and its cities to effectively address homelessness. “Homelessness is not a problem that can simply be shuffled around,” she stated, calling for a unified approach.

As Los Angeles grapples with this ongoing crisis, leaders emphasize the need for continued efforts in housing production, mental health support, and balanced enforcement strategies. The slight decrease in overall homelessness provides a glimmer of hope, but significant challenges remain.