Prevalence

Definition of Homelessness

Persons experiencing homelessness (PEH) are defined by meeting one of the following criteria (LAHSA):

  • Individuals or family who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. This includes having a primary nighttime residence that is not intended for habitation, living in a congregate shelter, transitional housing, or hotels and motels paid for by charitable or government programs.
  • Individuals or family who will imminently lose their primary nighttime residence (within 14 days), provided no subsequent housing has been identified and the individual/family lacks support networks or resources needed to obtain permanent housing, or is exiting a residential institution and was homeless immediately prior.
  • Unaccompanied youth under 25 years of age, or families with children who are defined as homeless under other federal statutes such as the Runaway and Homeless Youth Act, have not had a lease or ownership interest in a housing unit in the last 60 days, have had two or more moves in the last 60 days, and who are likely to continue to be unstably housed due to special needs or barriers such as disabilities.
  • An individual or family who is fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, has no other residence, and lacks the resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing.

Homeless Population Count

Los Angeles County Overall
According to the point-in-time homeless count in January 2023, there were an estimated 75,518 persons experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County, of which 73% were unsheltered and 44% were chronically homeless (LAHSA).

In January 2023, people aged 35-44 (23%) accounted for the largest proportion of the PEH population in LAC, followed by those aged 25-34 (19%) and 45-54 (19%), and 55-64 (18%) (Figure 1).

Among PEH counted in LAC in January 2023, 67% were males and 31% were female (Figure 2).

Black (43%) and White (41%) comprised the majority of PEH in LAC in January 2023 (Figure 3). 

Los Angeles County Regions

The regions with the highest numbers of PEH in January 2023 were Service Planning Area (SPA) 4 (Figure 4) and Supervisorial District (SD) 2 (Figure 8). 

SPA 4 has the highest PEH count in LAC in 2023 (Figure 4).

Among PEH across all SPAs, SPA 6 had the most number of minor, followed by SPA 4 and SPA 2 (Figure 5).

Males accounted for the majority of PEH across all SPAs in LAC in January 2023 (Figure 6).

Black (43%) and White (41%) comprised the majority of PEH in LAC in January 2023 (Figure 7). 

SD 2 has the highest PEH count in LAC in 2022, followed by SD 1, SD 3, SD4, and SD5 (Figure 8).

Los Angeles County Cities

City of Los Angeles

In January 2023, there were a total of 33,367 people experiencing homelessness counted in the City of Los Angeles.

Across Los Angeles City Council Districts (LACD), 10,546 (32%) were sheltered, 15,129 (45%) had a dwelling, and 7,692 (23%) were without any shelter or dwelling.

In LA City, Council District 14 had accounted for the largest PEH population among LACDs in 2023 January (Figure 9).

LACD8 had the largest proportion of PEH that were sheltered (57%), LACD 10 had the largest proportion of PEH that were unsheltered (34%), and LACD 12 had the largest proportion of PEH that lived in a dwelling (74%) (Figure 10). 

City of Long Beach
In January 2023, there were 3,447 people experiencing homelessness counted in the City of Long Beach.

PEH aged 55-64 (24%) had the most number of PEH in the City of Long Beach (Figure 11).

Males (65%) had more number of PEH than females in the City of Long Beach (Figure 12).

White people (60%) had the most number of PEH in the City of Long Beach (Figure 13).

City of Pasadena
In January 2023, there were 556 people experiencing homelessness counted in the City of Pasadena.

People aged 55-64 (20%) had the most number of PEH in the City of Pasadena (Figure 14).

Males (71%) had more number of PEH than females in the City of Pasadena (Figure 15).

White people (57%) had the most number of PEH in the City of Pasadena (Figure 16).

City of Glendale
In January 2023, there were 195 people experiencing homelessness counted in the City of Glendale.

Minors (25%) had the most number of PEH in the City of Glendale (Figure 17).

Males (61%) had more number of PEH than females in the City of Glendale (Figure 18).

White people (67%) had the most number of PEH in the City of Glendale (Figure 19).

Substance Use Disorder

According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, in January 2022, among the estimated 65,111 PEH,  23.8% (n=16,447) reportedly had substance use disorder (SUD), which was higher than the national estimate of 16.3% (Figure 21). Only 11% (n=1,786) of PEH with SUD reported staying in sheltered locations (emergency shelters, transitional housing, or other temporary settings), resulting in 14,679 (89.3%) reportedly staying in unsheltered locations (public or private place not designated for, or ordinarily used as, a regular sleeping accommodation for people, such as the streets, vehicles, or parks) (Figure 22).

Estimates for PEH prevalence can vary depending on the method of how counts are collected and assessed. The point in time data collected can change due to mobility of individuals, and if there are differing definition of homelessness. Specifically, for 2019, an estimated 46% of LAC PEH were identified as having SUD compared to 13% reported by LAHSA (Smith & Oreskes, 2019). 

In the city of Long Beach, an estimated 3,296 people were experiencing homeless in 2022, and 28.9% (n=951) reportedly had SUD. Among those with SUD, about 769 (81.9%) were reported as staying in unsheltered locations (Figures 23-24).

In 2022, an estimated 512 people were experiencing homeless in Pasadena, of which 121 (23.6%) reportedly had SUD.  About 49 (40.5%) of those with SUD were staying in sheltered locations (Figures 25-26).

An estimated 225 people were experiencing homelessness in Glendale in 2022, with an estimated 31 (13.8%) having SUD. Nearly two-thirds (71%) of Glendale PEH with SUD were staying in unsheltered locations (Figures 27-28).

References

Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). Homeless definition. https://www.lahsa.org/documents?id=1349-homeless-definition-part-1-.pdf

Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). Los Angeles Continuum of Care Bylaws. https://www.lahsa.org/documents?id=1740-los-angeles-continuum-of-care-bylaws.pdf

Figures 1-20. Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). Continuum of Care (COC) Homeless Count Estimate, 2023. https://www.lahsa.org/data-refresh

United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD). 2022. HUD 2022 Continuum of Care Homeless Assistance Programs Homeless Populations and Subpopulations. Retrieved from https://www.hudexchange.info/programs/coc/coc-homeless-populations-and-subpopulations-reports/.

Smith D., Oreskes B. (2019, Oct 7). Are many homeless in L.A. mentally ill? New Findings back the public’s perception. Los Angeles Times. https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-10-07/homeless-population-mental-illness-disability