LA Homelessness Trends: 2024 LA LEADS Report

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LOS ANGELES, July 1, 2025

mixed trends in LA’s homelessness crisis.

Fewer unsheltered,but greater needs remain.

• Unsheltered homelessness in Los Angeles decreased in 2024.
• Increased housing placements likely drove the decline.
• Remaining unsheltered individuals exhibit higher needs.
• New strategies may be needed to sustain progress.

The number of unsheltered individuals decreased in Los Angeles in 2024, although the acuity of needs among those still on the street appears to be rising, suggesting a complex homelessness situation.

Declining numbers offer glimmer of hope

As fall 2021, researchers have been meticulously counting and surveying people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in Los Angeles.The focus areas were Hollywood, Skid Row, and Venice-neighborhoods at the heart of the city’s homelessness crisis.

Why these locations? Hollywood, Skid Row and Venice were selected due to their high concentrations of unsheltered individuals, offering a representative snapshot of the broader crisis.

These efforts,part of the los Angeles Longitudinal Enumeration and Demographic Survey (LA LEADS) study,aimed to provide policymakers with a clearer picture of the trends,demographics,and services related to unsheltered homelessness. The most recent data paints a mixed picture.

2024 shows meaningful changes

The study revealed that 2024 brought a “meaningfully different picture” compared to previous years. Specifically,the number of unsheltered people declined. This positive shift is highly likely attributable to increased access and placement in interim and permanent housing.

Did you know? Skid Row is home to one of the largest stable populations of homeless people in the United States.

Increased acuity poses new challenges

However, the good news is tempered by another finding. Multiple measures indicate that the acuity-or severity of needs-among those who remain unsheltered appears to be worsening. What does this mean for addressing homelessness in Los Angeles? It suggests that simply expanding existing strategies may not be enough.

What constitutes ‘acuity’? Increased acuity can include factors like severe mental illness, chronic health conditions, substance abuse disorders, and experiences of trauma.

To continue making progress,Los Angeles may need to adopt new and different approaches to help those with more complex needs exit homelessness.

Addressing the Rising Acuity: New Strategies for LA

The evolving nature of the homelessness crisis in Los Angeles necessitates a deeper look at how the city can effectively support the remaining unsheltered population. After all, the 2024 data reveals a decrease in the number of people experiencing homelessness, but also an increase in the complexity of their needs.

This section will explore the specific challenges that individuals with higher acuity face. Further, it highlights potential solutions that Los Angeles may need to adopt to continue making meaningful strides in its efforts to combat homelessness.

Diving Deeper: Examining the “Acuity” Factor

As mentioned earlier, “acuity” refers to the severity of an individual’s needs. It encompasses a range of factors that complicate the path out of homelessness. These include:

• Severe Mental Illness: Conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder often require specialized psychiatric care and medication management.
• Chronic Health Conditions: Diabetes, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses can make it difficult to maintain stable housing.
• Substance Abuse Disorders: Addiction to drugs and/or alcohol can create barriers to accessing and maintaining housing.
• Trauma: Past experiences of abuse, violence, or neglect can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health challenges.

Many individuals experiencing homelessness face a combination of these challenges. This makes their needs more complex and demands a more comprehensive approach to support.

A Case Study: Consider a person with a history of trauma, a chronic health condition, and a substance use disorder.Their path to stable housing requires integrated care addressing all of these issues simultaneously.

Breaking Barriers to Housing and Support

Simply providing more housing units isn’t always enough. For individuals with high acuity, it’s vital to pair housing with access to intensive services, including:

• Mental Health Treatment: Access to psychiatrists, therapists, and medication management.
• Medical Care: Comprehensive healthcare to address chronic conditions and other medical needs.
• Substance Abuse Treatment: Detoxification, rehabilitation, and ongoing support groups.
• Case management: Dedicated professionals to coordinate care and help individuals navigate the social service system.

These services must be readily available, easily accessible, and specifically tailored to meet each individual’s unique needs in order to work.

practical Tips for Supporting High-Acuity Individuals

Here’s what can be done to provide effective care and services:

• Prioritize Outreach: Actively reach out to individuals living on the streets to build trust and offer assistance; the LAHSA outreach teams work with the vulnerable populations and are frequently enough the first points of contact.
• Implement Housing First: Provide immediate housing and then focus on providing necessary supportive services, rather than requiring individuals to achieve sobriety or mental stability before housing placement.
• Integrate Care: ensure that mental health, medical care, and substance abuse services are coordinated and delivered in a holistic manner.
• Train Staff: Provide extensive training for staff in areas like trauma-informed care, cultural sensitivity, and de-escalation techniques.
• Measure Outcomes: Track the progress of individuals and assess the effectiveness of programs to make necessary adjustments.

What is “Housing First” and how does it help with homelessness?

Housing First is a proven model that prioritizes providing immediate, permanent housing to people experiencing homelessness. the core of Housing First involves removing requirements like sobriety or participation in treatment before housing placement. The idea is that having a safe, stable place to live is the foundation upon which other aspects of a person’s life can be rebuilt.

Although research supports the use of Housing First, some may hesitate due to the intensity of the needs of the unhoused population.

Myth vs Fact: “Helping the Homeless Just Makes the Problem Worse”

Myth	Fact
Providing services and housing just attracts more homeless people to the area.	Research shows that providing services and housing does not significantly increase the homeless population in a community. Actually, it can definitely help to reduce homelessness.
Homeless people are unwilling to help themselves.	Many individuals experiencing homelessness want to improve their lives, but they face significant barriers to doing so. These may include mental illness, addiction, and lack of resources. Appropriate support and services can help them make progress.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the moast significant obstacles to overcoming homelessness?

Barriers include lack of affordable housing, mental illness, substance abuse, trauma, and systemic poverty. Access to adequate health care and a lack of education and employment opportunities also factor into the problems associated in overcoming homelessness.

How can I help people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles?

You can support local organizations that provide housing, food, and other services. Volunteering your time, donating money, and advocating for policies that address the root causes of homelessness are all helpful.

What role does the city government play in addressing homelessness?

The city government funds and administers various programs providing housing assistance, mental health services, and outreach efforts. It is also responsible for policy decisions that impact homelessness,such as zoning and affordable housing progress.

Next Steps

The 2024 data provides an opportunity to refine Los Angeles’ approach to homelessness. Focusing on the needs of individuals with the highest acuity and implementing evidence-based strategies will be essential to sustain progress and create lasting solutions.