Although the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) announced a slight decrease in the number of homeless people of 2.2% in the city of Los Angeles compared to last year and 0.27% in Los Angeles County, it is extremely worrying that Latinos are the group that lives on the streets the most.
The most recent homeless count indicates that Latinos represent the largest ethnic group experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County and the city of Los Angeles, with 23,103, followed by African Americans with 22,041, and whites with 20,667.
In total, there are 75,312 homeless people in Los Angeles County, and 45,352 in the city.
Last May, LAHSA reported that the number of Latinos experiencing homelessness grew 26% between 2020 and 2022.
On the other hand, it was announced that the number of people living in vehicles and makeshift shelters decreased by 9.17%, from 23,438 to 21,288.
It is also revealed that 54% of homeless people attribute their street status to economic problems.
According to the count, conducted in January, the reduction in the homeless population is attributed to a coordinated approach, the city and county of Los Angeles remaining in a state of emergency, and state and national support for addressing the encampments.
Mayor Karen Bass attributed the decline to the closing of ranks at all levels of government to urgently address the homelessness crisis, and said the reduction in the number of homeless is part of new leadership.
“At the last count, homelessness grew 10%, but today we have reversed that trend by 12% and we have realized that by giving them a roof, we can move Los Angeles in a different direction, but make no mistake, we have a great “We have a long way to go and we are just getting started.”
He said it’s no secret that his priority has been homelessness to save the lives of those living on the streets, but it has also been keeping customers in restaurants and small businesses, and attracting large employers, as well as making sure so that children can walk to school without having to get off the sidewalk.
“It’s about making sure people have a roof over their heads instead of seeking refuge in parks, libraries and the Metro system.”
He noted that they are taking unprecedented action to prevent and assist tenants at risk of losing their homes. “We have helped thousands, and there is no other example in the country that has been proven to work like this model to prevent homelessness.”
Lindsey P. Horvath, chairwoman of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the LAHSA Commission, said more people have shelter because they funded more beds and housed 28,000 people whose lives have improved.
“Not to mention all the people who have been kept from falling into homelessness through rent subsidies and legal protections.”
He added that although they have proven their ability to give people housing, they must continue to improve the response to bring it up to par with this humanitarian crisis.
“This is not a victory, it is validation that our strategy is working and we now need to double down on it and continue to identify where our systems are failing in order to fix them.”
I affirm that While they gave shelter to 28,000, last year, 44,000 eviction petitions were filed.
“This clearly shows the problem. We cannot solve this crisis with thousands of people at risk of losing their homes each year. That requires expanding protections for renters and programs to keep people in their homes.”
LAHSA President Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kellum said this year’s homeless census estimate gives her hope because it shows that a unified approach and coordinated efforts to address homelessness have resulted in a significant reduction in homelessness and unsheltered individuals.
“One year is not enough to declare victory, but the numbers we are seeing are encouraging. We must continue to work together on policies that save lives and are yielding results.”