News Summary
Homelessness in Los Angeles County has decreased for the second consecutive year, with a 4% reduction as per the latest homeless count. The City of Los Angeles also saw a 3.4% decrease in homelessness. Officials credit the decline to effective housing placements and advocacy programs, leading to a notable drop in unsheltered homelessness. While the trends show promise, challenges remain in ensuring adequate housing solutions and addressing the complexities of the homelessness crisis in the area.
Los Angeles – Homelessness in Los Angeles County has experienced a decline for the second consecutive year, according to preliminary estimates from the 2025 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count. The latest data shows a 4% decrease in homelessness from the previous year, with an estimated 72,308 individuals experiencing homelessness across the county.
The annual homeless count was conducted from February 18 to 20, 2025, over three nights to gather accurate estimations of the unhoused population. In the City of Los Angeles, the number of individuals identified as homeless reached 43,699, reflecting a 3.4% reduction compared to 2024. Unsheltered homelessness saw a significant decline as well, dropping by 9.5% countywide and 7.9% within the city limits.
Officials attribute the overall decrease in homelessness to a combination of sustained housing placements, targeted strategies for resolving encampments, and improved access to shelters. Encouragingly, over the last two years, unsheltered homelessness has fallen by 14% in the county and 17.5% in the city. Additionally, there was an 8.5% increase in the number of people residing in shelters countywide and a 4.7% rise within the City of Los Angeles.
The 2025 homeless count data was presented by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), which oversees the annual survey. Alongside LAHSA, additional insights were provided by researchers and city officials, including speech highlights focusing on ongoing efforts to address homelessness. One of the key initiatives discussed was the Inside Safe program, which aims to tackle street homelessness directly.
While the latest numbers offer a glimmer of hope regarding homelessness trends in Los Angeles, concerns persist regarding the overall adequacy of current housing solutions and the rapidity of implementation. Specific figures related to individual cities such as Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, and Culver City are scheduled for release later this summer. Notably, the 2025 count marks the first since the City of Santa Monica extended its homelessness emergency for an additional year.
The recent reports indicate a decline in the number of individuals classified as chronically homeless, with nearly 6,000 fewer individuals fitting this category compared to previous counts. This suggests some progress in a particularly vulnerable segment of the homeless population. Furthermore, county officials acknowledged LAHSA’s challenges concerning management and funding, including scrutiny over audits that revealed weaknesses in oversight and potential for waste.
The state of California has also intensified measures to address homelessness, with stricter regulations imposed to mitigate issues associated with homeless encampments. State authorities have also issued warnings regarding the potential loss of funds for non-compliance with these new measures, thereby emphasizing the urgency and importance of addressing the homelessness crisis effectively.
Amidst these developments, LAHSA continues to focus on collaboration and coordinated efforts as necessary components in maintaining the recent reductions in homelessness. While the current trends are encouraging, many advocates believe that more aggressive actions and comprehensive strategies will be essential to ensure stable improvements in addressing homelessness in Los Angeles County.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Beverly Hills Realtor Charged with Price Gouging
Beverly Hills Real Estate Agent Charged with Price Gouging
California Attorney General Files Charges Against Agent for Price Gouging
Developers Sue Beverly Hills Over Housing Project Denials
California Becomes Fourth-Largest Economy, Surpassing Japan
Beverly Hills Courier Honored for Journalism Excellence
Beverly Hills Chamber Hosts May Networking Breakfast
California Faces $12 Billion Budget Shortfall for 2024-2025
California Sees Rise in Low-Income Housing Eligibility Amid Housing Crisis
California Unveils $3.3 Billion Initiative to Combat Homelessness
Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times
- The New York Times
- Bloomberg
- Wikipedia: Homelessness in the United States
- Google Search: homelessness Los Angeles 2025
