According to the results of a point-in-time count conducted by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority in January, there were 75,518 people experiencing homelessness in the county and 46,260 in the city of Los Angeles on any given night. This marks a 9% increase in the county and a 10% increase in the city compared to the previous year.
The figures are disheartening for local officials who have been working tirelessly to combat homelessness. Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Janice Hahn expressed her disappointment, stating, "It is frustrating to have more people fall into homelessness even as we are investing hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars and resources into efforts to bring people inside." Hahn also highlighted the scarcity of cities that are actively pursuing solutions to the crisis.
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The issue of homelessness has been a persistent concern in Los Angeles, with numbers steadily rising over the years.
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The expansion of encampments and the impact on the quality of life for residents and businesses have further exacerbated the problem. The recent count involved volunteers canvassing Los Angeles County to tally the number of homeless individuals residing in tents, vehicles, and makeshift shelters.
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The 2022 homeless count revealed a 1.7% increase in unhoused individuals in Los Angeles compared to 2020, with a total of 41,980 people. In the county, there was a 4.1% increase, totaling 69,144 unhoused individuals. These figures underscore the urgency of the situation and the need for immediate action.
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Local leaders, who have allocated millions of dollars to address homelessness, expressed disappointment at the latest statistics. Va Lecia Adams Kellum, Chief Executive Officer of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), acknowledged the severity of the crisis, stating, "The homeless count results tell us what we already know — that we have a crisis on our streets, and it's getting worse." Kellum emphasized the collaborative efforts of the city, county, and LAHSA to urgently provide housing for those living on the streets.
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Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass highlighted the connection between homelessness, drug abuse, and mental illness. She noted that the City Council has approved $7.8 million for in-patient substance abuse treatment and stressed the importance of addressing these underlying issues. Bass declared, "We will not end homelessness without addressing drug abuse and mental illness.
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This is a matter of life and death." She further emphasized the need for immediate action, stating that unhoused Angelenos should not be left on the streets when more can be done to help them.
In April, Mayor Bass pledged to recommend a record-breaking $1.3 billion in spending next year to provide shelter and treatment programs for unhoused individuals. This commitment reflects the city's determination to tackle the homelessness crisis head-on and find effective solutions.
Despite significant investments, the numbers continue to rise, underscoring the need for innovative approaches and increased resources to provide housing and support for those experiencing homelessness.
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