LA County Homelessness Up 12 Percent, New Data Show

LOS ANGELES COUNTY -- Homelessness in Los Angeles County spiked by 12% over the past year to reach an estimated 58,936 people, according to figures released Tuesday by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.

The city of Los Angeles saw a 16% increase in its homelessness numbers.

According to Homeless Services Authority data, nearly three-quarters of homeless people are living in cars, tents, makeshift shelters or on the streets without any apparent cover from the elements.

LA County Board of Supervisors Chair Janice Hahn said she anticipated the rise given the increasing number of homeless encampments but called the outcome ``very disappointing, very troubling, very sad,'' particularly after a 4% drop in the numbers last year.

Though the number of chronically homeless individuals increased by 17%, demographers and statisticians responsible for the count said they believe the real issue is the influx of newly homeless people.

Phil Ansell, who runs the county's Homeless Initiative, said it may seem counterintuitive, but ``a booming economy can actually lead to an increase in homelessness.''

He said that in a growing economy, rental rates have outpaced wages, particularly for people living at the margins and earning minimum wage. A minimum-wage employee would have to work 79 hours a week at $13.25 per hour to afford the rent in an average one-bedroom apartment, according to LAHSA.

The number of homeless veterans was roughly flat year-over-year, but there were 7% more homeless seniors -- after a meaningful decrease last year -- and demographers saw a 24% jump in homeless youth. Researchers from USC who worked on the count said they believe improved methodologies were responsible for part of the increase in young adults.

Though people suffering from severe mental illness or with substance abuse problems are among the most visible members of the homeless community, they make up just 29% of the total homeless population.

While the number of both sheltered and unsheltered homeless was up, most homeless families are in shelters or other bridge housing, according to LAHSA.

Economic hardship was the number one reason cited by newly homeless individuals for their plight. The second most common trigger was a lack of a support network and a personal crisis like a divorce. And 5% of those represented in the overall count said they were fleeing domestic violence.

The county has more than doubled its capacity to house people over the last five years, in part due to voters' 2017 approval of a quarter-cent sales tax increase under Measure H in 2017. In 2016, voters in the city of Los Angeles approved Measure HHH, which authorized a $1.2 billion bond to build about 10,000 units of supportive housing and provide other homeless services.

Supervisor Kathryn Barger said many of her constituents in the 5th District -- which includes portions of the San Gabriel, San Fernando, Crescenta, Santa Clarita and Antelope valleys -- ``are frustrated because they don't feel enough is being done.''

She urged her colleagues to consider solutions for people who aren't interested in county services and seem committed to living rent-free, given the unsanitary conditions and disease risk posed by large homeless encampments.

``Money alone is not going to solve this problem,'' Barger said.

LAHSA ExecutiveDirector Peter Lynn urged all Angelenos to join the United Way's Everyone In campaign at www.everyoneinla.org and to advocate for policy changes and volunteer to help homeless individuals in their community. More information can be found at www.lahsa.org.