May 28, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority Releases 2022 Homeless Count Results

Results show a small increase countywide in homeless and a decrease on the Westside

By Sam Catanzaro

The Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority (LAHSA) has released the results of the 2022 homeless count showing a small increase countywide in homeless and a decrease on the Westside. 

This year’s count was LA County’s first since 2020, as the 2021 count was canceled due to COVID-19. 

According to the 2020 count, the county’s homeless population increased by 12.7% over the previous year, while the city of Los Angeles’ homeless population jumped by 14.2%. On the Westside for the 2020 count, LA City Council Council District 11 saw a 40 percent increase in its homeless population, while Council District 5 saw a 10 percent increase. Citywide in 2020, Los Angeles saw a 16 percent increase in homelessness. 

LAHSA was set to release the 2022 count results earlier this summer but postponed it in July because of a delay by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development in validating the data.

According to the 2022 results, countywide, the homeless population increased by 4.1 percent, showing that an estimated 69,144 people were experiencing homelessness in LA County at that time of the count this winter. 

For the City of Los Angeles, the homeless population increased by 1.7 percent, a total of 13,522 people. Council District 11 (which includes Venice) saw a 38.5 percent decrease in homelessness (2,012 total persons), while Venice itself saw a 50 percent decrease (981 total persons). 

In Council District 5, which includes Century City and Westwood, the 2022 results show a 3.4 percent increase in homelessness (465 total persons). 

The City of Santa Monica conducted a separate count in Febuary and released the results in May showing a 1 percent increase in homelessness

In announcing the results Thursday, LAHSA said the pandemic made homelessness appear “more visible” than the 4 percent increase suggests.  

“This year’s Homeless Count revealed a 17% increase in tents, vehicles, and makeshift shelters on LA County’s streets and sidewalks from 2020–but with fewer people in them.  At the same time, LA County’s unsheltered population rose by only 1%. This means LA County saw a significant increase in the evidence of homelessness without a corresponding rise in our unsheltered neighbors,” LAHSA said in a press release

LAHSA applauded one-time federal assistance and local economic policies like eviction moratoriums as helpful tools that kept people off the street. 

“Policy and investments matter. ​Tenant protections and rental assistance helped people stay in their homes and out of homelessness,” said Molly Rysman, Acting Co-Executive Director of LAHSA. “But now our community is in a precarious position. If these policies end, it is entirely possible that future homeless counts could show significant increases. We need those critical policies to continue.”  

LAHSA recommended that every jurisdiction in LA County continue increasing its housing investments. 

“National best practices show that a rehousing system works most effectively to reduce homelessness when there are five permanent housing units available for every shelter bed. LA’s current ratio is one housing exit per shelter bed,” LAHSA said. 

The release of the results has been met with a flurry of reactions from local stakeholders, politicians and organizations. 

“These numbers reinforce truths that everyone who works tirelessly on this knows in their hearts and minds: visible and lasting progress can only come through investments in long-term, affordable, and quality housing solutions,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti

Elizabeth Benson Forer, CEO of Venice Family Clinic, a nonprofit community health center that provides health care to homeless individuals, called for long-term solutions to homelessness. 

“While this year’s Homeless Count showed smaller increases in the number of people experiencing homelessness than in recent years, the ending of COVID-19 programs, like Project Roomkey and Project Homekey, are likely to push more people out of housing and into the streets in the year ahead,” Forer said in a statement. “We call on all our region’s leaders to develop long-term solutions, including permanent supportive housing, that will ensure stability and increase the likelihood of success in addressing homelessness. While shelters provide temporary housing, they are not a long-term solution. We must also work together to prevent people from losing their homes and ensure people experiencing homelessness get the health care and other services they need to stay housed.

John Maceri, CEO of The People Concern, one of Los Angeles County’s largest housing and social service agencies described the results as “cautiously optimistic”. 

“We are disappointed to see the numbers increase again, but we are cautiously optimistic that the increase is at a lower rate than we have seen in previous years,” Maceri said. “We know what works to end homelessness – housing coupled with support services. The 2022 Homeless Count results reinforce that service providers, government leaders and the private sector must work together to increase the availability of affordable and permanent supportive housing.”

People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) CEO, Jennifer Hark Dietz has shared the following statement along similar lines. 

“LAHSA’s 2022 Homeless Count data confirms what PATH team members and our community witness every day: that homelessness has increased. This upward trend mirrors what we’re seeing in many other regions in California and reflects the rising cost of housing throughout the state. Inflation has also intensified the problem, as rent has increased at its fastest rate since the 1980’s, putting homes out of reach for more individuals and families,” Hark said. “It is important to note that unsheltered homelessness in Los Angeles County has gone down and the pandemic could have resulted in a massive increase in homelessness overall. Initiatives such as Project Roomkey, Project Homekey and emergency funding for services have proved that when you properly resource this crisis, we see results. We must make sure that people can connect to interim housing and a range of supportive services, but at the end of the day if the affordable housing stock is not there, people will either remain in shelters or outdoors, with no permanent home in sight.” 

At the local level, Councilmember Mike Bonin who represents CD 11, celebrated the results. 

“While homelessness ticked up 2% citywide and 4% countywide from 2020 to 2022, LAHSA’s data shows it dropped 38.5% in District 11. That’s better than any other part of the City of Los Angeles. That demonstrates that it’s housing and services that end homelessness; it’s not enforcement and criminalization,” Bonin said. “Before the City Council repeals any COVID-era tenant protections, we need to approve new, tough permanent protections, including a fully-funded right to counsel, universal “just cause” eviction rules, increased relocation assistance, limits on rent increases, and removal of discriminatory barriers to rental housing.”

Bonin is not running for reelection in the November election. Traci Park, who is running against Erin Darling to replace this seat, issued a statement that was a contrast to Bonin’s, calling the results “sobering” 

“Today’s release of the homeless count by city and county leaders continues to be sobering. This is not an unsolvable problem; it is a matter of resolve and leadership. When elected, I will focus on the inhumanity of homelessness and encampment living with the urgency this problem demands. We must get people off the streets, for the health and safety of the entire community. We will not criminalize poverty, addiction, or mental health disorders. But we must insist on clean and safe streets, parks, and neighborhoods,” Park said. 

Darling commented on the results as well, with remarks that echoed Bonin’s statement. 

“2022 LAHSA homeless count shows LA’s largest decrease in homelessness occurred in District 11. Take a look at this tool to see for yourself. We know what works: prevention and services. Solutions not scapegoating!” Darling said.

in News
Related Posts

Film Review: Bring Her Back

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

By Dolores Quintana Grief is the price of love.  Danny Philippou and Michael Philippou’s second feature film, Bring Her Back,...

County Assessor Stresses Need For Fire-Affected Households to Update Addresses to Receive Relief Checks

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

Assessor’s Office Offers Automatic Tax Relief for Fire-Affected Homeowners Following the destruction caused by wildfires earlier this year, the Los...

Caltrans Schedules Public Meeting for $143.7 Million I-405 Rehabilitation Project

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

Virtual Forum Set to Brief Residents on Upcoming Construction The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will hold a virtual public...

Crustacean Launches ‘Little C’ Vietnamese Pop-Up to Celebrate Chef Helene An’s Legacy

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

Three-Day Lunch Series Honors AAPI Heritage Month With Chef’s Personal Recipes Crustacean Beverly Hills will host a limited-run pop-up dining...

Academy Award Winning Director Sean Baker to Attend Anora Screening in Support of Theater Preservation

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

Acclaimed Director Joins Special Event on May 30 to Help Keep Historic South Bay Cinema Open The independent studio Neon,...

Motorcyclist Killed in Westchester Collision with Vehicle Near Centinela

May 28, 2025

May 28, 2025

Crash Prompts Hours-Long Investigation of Crash Site of Violent Accident One person was killed Monday evening when a motorcycle collided...

Metro LA to Host Public Meetings This Week on Westside to Valley Transit Alternatives

May 26, 2025

May 26, 2025

Community Input Needed as Release Draft Environmental Impact Report Approaches Metro LA is inviting the public to a series of...

Over 100,000 Pounds of Illegal Fireworks Seized in Los Angeles County Before July 4th

May 26, 2025

May 26, 2025

Cal Fire, ATF Uncover Massive Stockpile, Urge Residents to Report Incidents More than 100,000 pounds of illegal fireworks were confiscated...

Missing West Hollywood Woman Found Safe, According to the West Hollywood Sheriff’s Department

May 26, 2025

May 26, 2025

Woman Who Was Last Seen on May 19 near Hayworth Avenue Reunited with Family The West Hollywood Sheriff’s Department confirmed...

Brentwood Estate Once Owned by Hollywood A-Listers Finds Buyer in One Week

May 26, 2025

May 26, 2025

The 1929 Mediterranean-Style Home Went Under Contract in Seven Days Celebrity pedigree and classic design helped a 1929 Mediterranean-style estate...

Hollywood Man Sentenced for $65M COVID Tax Scam Tied to Fake Beverly Hills Farm

May 26, 2025

May 26, 2025

IRS Scam Featuring Fictional Beverly Hills Farm Ends in Prison Term  The Hollywood resident who fabricated a Beverly Hills-based farming...

Toxic Metal Recycler Shuttered After Felony Waste Disposal Conviction

May 26, 2025

May 26, 2025

Company Permanently Closes Following Hazardous Waste Charges Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan J. Hochman has announced that a longtime...

West Hollywood Releases Transit and Parking Details Ahead of WeHo Pride 2025

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Santa Monica Boulevard to Close for Weekend-Long Celebration May 30–June 1 The City of West Hollywood has released transportation and...

Man Accused of Stalking Jennifer Aniston Ruled Incompetent to Stand Trial

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Stalking Suspect Says He’s Fit for Trial After Initial Psychiatric Evaluation Jimmy Wayne Carwyle, a Mississippi man accused of stalking...

The Grove to Host Patriotic Tribute for 250th Anniversary of U.S. Navy and Marine Corps During LA Fleet Week

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Friday’s Celebration Will Feature Flyovers, Live Music, Military Displays, and Family-Friendly Activities The Grove will welcome the United States Navy...