The number of homeless people in Los Angeles (LA), California, has decreased for the second consecutive year. Analysts suggest that various policies from the government and local authorities are gradually taking effect in a city that has faced the worst homelessness issue in the United States for decades.
According to Bloomberg on the 14th (local time), the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) stated in its annual report that the number of homeless people in LA County was approximately 72,308 in 2025, a 4% decrease from the previous year. In the city of LA, which is included in the county, the number of homeless people was tallied at 43,699, a 3.4% decrease. Notably, the population living in "homeless status" on the streets decreased by 7.9%, while the number of individuals admitted to public and private shelters increased by 4.7%.
This statistic is notable as it marks the first time since 2018 that the number of homeless people in the LA area has declined, starting from 2023. LAHSA reported a decrease of 0.3% for the county and 2.2% for the city last year. Although there was previously a perspective that this was a temporary phenomenon, the continuous decline over the past two years has led to increased confidence in the effectiveness of the policies.
According to Bloomberg, California is noted as having the highest number of homeless individuals in the United States. In 2024, the total number of homeless individuals in the state is approximately 187,000, accounting for about 30% of all homeless people in the country, with most suffering from multiple vulnerabilities such as mental illness, substance abuse, and unemployment. Despite these structural limitations, the recent significant improvements in the LA area are attributed to long-term policy investments and institutional reforms.
A key factor in this change is identified as the "Inside Safe" program promoted by LA Mayor Karen Bass since her inauguration in 2022. This policy aims to gradually dismantle street encampments that have long threatened the urban landscape and public safety, prioritizing the placement of the homeless population in temporary accommodations such as motels and hotels. Mayor Bass noted, "There are still homeless individuals on the streets, and this program is not a complete solution, but we are making progress one step at a time."
Citizens have also participated in expanding housing supply. In 2016, the "Proposition HHH" was passed through a referendum to provide funding for constructing permanent dwellings for the homeless. To date, a total of 8,376 supportive dwellings have been supplied through this legislation. These dwellings are being utilized for housing homeless individuals suffering from mental illness or chronic diseases.
State government-level responses are also underway. Governor Gavin Newsom announced a reorganization plan at the beginning of this month, including the establishment of a dedicated housing authority and integration of consumer oversight systems. Various policies are being attempted, such as introducing a 'care court' system allowing for mandatory treatment through court orders for those with severe mental illnesses.
However, there are criticisms indicating that there is still a long way to go to solve the problem. Since taking office, Governor Newsom has invested over $37 billion (approximately 51 trillion won) in addressing homelessness, yet the total number of homeless individuals in California has actually increased by 24% from 2019 to 2024. In this regard, the Legislative Analyst's Office (LAO) pointed out in a report that "despite the massive budget expenditure, the expected outcomes are not materializing, and a re-evaluation of the structural efficiency of policy expenditures is necessary."