12% Spike in LA Homeless Raises Alarms Across City

According to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), the most recent annual count revealed an estimated 75,518 homeless individuals living in LA County as of January 2024. This marks a 12% increase from 2023, when the count stood at around 67,000.

In the City of Los Angeles alone, the number rose from 46,260 to 51,225 individuals, making it clear that this is not just a county-wide issue but a critical problem in the city center as well.

You can find the full report from LAHSA here.

Reasons Behind the Rising Homeless Numbers

There is no single cause of this dramatic rise. Experts point to a combination of economic hardship, mental health challenges, addiction, and housing shortages. The high cost of living and skyrocketing rents in Los Angeles also contribute heavily.

Even with rental assistance and short-term solutions like shelter beds and tiny homes, the city’s efforts appear to be outpaced by the number of people falling into homelessness.

More on LA’s affordable housing crisis can be read here.

Tent Cities and Encampments Becoming More Visible

Anyone driving through downtown LA or neighborhoods like Hollywood, Venice, or Echo Park has seen the growing presence of tent cities. Sidewalks, underpasses, and public parks are filled with makeshift shelters made from tarps, blankets, and old furniture.

These encampments are no longer limited to skid row. The situation is spreading across all corners of the city, affecting both urban and suburban communities. Many locals say that the issue is no longer out of sight — it’s at their doorstep.

Check the city’s interactive homelessness map here.

Mayor Bass’s Emergency Homelessness Strategy

Since taking office, Mayor Karen Bass has made homelessness a top priority. She launched the Inside Safe program, aiming to move individuals from encampments into interim housing and eventually into permanent homes.

So far, this program has helped over 21,000 individuals, but experts say that the pace is not enough to offset the rising tide of homelessness.

In a recent press conference, Mayor Bass said,
“We are not standing still. We are going after this crisis every single day. But the reality is that we need federal and state support to make a deeper impact.”
More details about Inside Safe can be found here.

Mental Health and Addiction Services Still Lacking

While housing remains the primary concern, mental health and substance abuse also play a major role in LA’s homeless crisis. A large portion of the homeless population suffers from untreated mental health conditions or chronic drug addiction, making it harder to transition them into stable housing.

Governor Gavin Newsom has proposed expanding CARE Courts, a program designed to provide mental health treatment and legal support for those in crisis. Still, advocates say that more funding and faster implementation are needed.

A deeper look into CARE Courts can be found here.

Nonprofits on the Frontlines

Organizations such as the Midnight Mission, Union Rescue Mission, PATH (People Assisting the Homeless), and LA Family Housing are working tirelessly to address the needs of people on the streets.

PATH CEO Jennifer Hark Dietz shared,
“We’re doing everything we can, but we are overwhelmed. For every person we house, two more lose their homes.”

You can support PATH’s efforts here.

Public Frustration Grows Amid Rising Concerns

Many LA residents are growing frustrated and concerned, not out of indifference, but out of helplessness and fear. With homeless encampments appearing near schools, parks, and residential areas, safety and sanitation are becoming pressing issues.

Business owners also report a drop in foot traffic, with some tourists avoiding high-traffic zones due to visible homelessness. Some residents feel the city is too slow in implementing sustainable solutions.

Proposed Solutions Moving Forward

1. Permanent Supportive Housing – Experts agree that building affordable, long-term housing with built-in support services is the most effective solution. But bureaucracy and neighborhood resistance continue to slow progress.
2. Preventive Measures – Policies like rent control, eviction protections, and increased job training programs can help prevent people from becoming homeless in the first place.
3. Mental Health Reform – Prioritizing on-street mental health care, mobile crisis units, and addiction services is critical for treating the most vulnerable.
4. Public-Private Partnerships – Collaboration between city agencies, developers, philanthropists, and local businesses can accelerate affordable housing creation.

Conclusion: A Crisis That Demands Urgency

The 12% rise in LA’s homeless population over the past year is not just a number—it represents thousands of human lives caught in the crosshairs of poverty, trauma, and policy gaps. Without bold action and deep collaboration between city leaders, non-profits, state officials, and everyday citizens, this crisis will only deepen.

As LA continues to be a city of dreams for many, it must also become a city of solutions for its most vulnerable residents.

Stay updated on homelessness policies here.

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