Los Angeles Times

Homelessness jumps 12% in LA County and 16% in the city; officials 'stunned'

LOS ANGELES - In a hard reality check for Los Angeles County's multibillion-dollar hope of ending homelessness, officials reported Tuesday that the number of people living on the streets, in vehicles and in shelters increased by about 12% over last year.

The annual point-in-time count, delivered to the Board of Supervisors, put the number of homeless people just shy of 59,000 countywide. Within the city of Los Angeles, the number soared to more than 36,000, a 16% increase.

And as in past years, most - about 75% - were living outside, fueling speculation of a growing public health crisis of rats and trash near homeless encampments downtown.

The findings in L.A. follow a string of similarly dire point-in-time counts from across California, as government officials struggle to respond more forcefully to the state's abject lack of affordable housing. The shortage is driving up

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times3 min read
Commentary: I Once Lived In My Car And Can’t Fathom Criminalizing Homelessness
I’ve been homeless. Twice. I faced a dilemma in those situations that more than 650,000 Americans experience on any given day: “Where am I going to sleep tonight?” The legal battles over criminalizing homelessness seem completely disconnected from th
Los Angeles Times4 min read
Eliminated By Mavericks, Clippers Have A Number Of Offseason Questions To Address
DALLAS — Steve Ballmer leaned over from his baseline seat and shook hands with a reporter walking by, the Clippers owner appearing somber after watching his team get eliminated from the playoffs with a 114-101 loss in Game 6 against the Dallas Maveri
Los Angeles Times7 min read
California Climbers Train For Mount Everest From The Comfort Of Their Own Beds
TRUCKEE, Calif. — Graham Cooper sleeps with his head in a bag. Not just any bag. This one has a hose attached to a motor that slowly lowers the oxygen level to mimic, as faithfully as possible, the agonies of fitful sleep at extreme altitude: headac

Related Books & Audiobooks