Awaiting the Latest Numbers
The community remains in suspense as the latest statistics on homelessness in Los Angeles County are yet to be disclosed. Nearly six months have passed since volunteers participated in the annual Point-in-Time Count, an effort crucial for understanding and tackling homelessness in the region.
This count, which spanned three nights in January, serves as an essential tool for assessing the number of individuals facing homelessness in Los Angeles County. The data collected not only informs local funding but also shapes vital policy decisions made by the city leaders.
Uncertainty and Concerns
The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) initially projected that the results would be available by late spring or early summer as stated on their website. However, as of now, the numbers remain under wraps, leaving both officials and concerned citizens eager for clarity.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed her anticipation for the results, noting the city’s anxiety about what the count may reveal. “You will have to contact LAHSA, but I believe it’s very soon. So, I’m anxious for them too,” Bass conveyed to reporters on Tuesday.
The wait is accompanied by apprehension, particularly as Mayor Bass fears the upcoming results might reflect a rise in homelessness due to recent substantial funding cuts and changes to the city’s homelessness response system. “I’m definitely concerned,” she stated, citing worries about potential spikes in numbers aligned with recent financial decisions.
Gita O’Neill, the Interim CEO of LAHSA, echoes this concern, highlighting that a decrease in funding for effective solutions inevitably hampers progress against homelessness. “When proven solutions lose funding, homelessness doesn’t stay flat — it may rise,” O’Neill warned during the January count.
Since the Point-in-Time Count took place, Los Angeles County has redirected significant funds away from LAHSA amidst rising concerns about the agency’s financial handling. Recently, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development suspended LAHSA from federal funding due to allegations of mismanagement and misuse of taxpayer dollars.
In response to these controversies, O’Neill reassured the public of LAHSA’s commitment to being accountable and transparent: “We have an interim internal audit committee at LAHSA. We’re really trying to be good stewards of people’s money.” However, this situation adds to the ongoing discussions among city leaders regarding the effectiveness and management of LAHSA in addressing homelessness.
Councilmember Nithya Raman, who participated in the count, has underscored the need for additional funding and accountability within the system. Her stance remains firm; whether the data reveals an increase or decrease in homelessness, it will not alter her views on LAHSA’s performance. “LAHSA has proven unable to deliver the performance oversight, responsiveness, and accountability that this city deserves for the investment that taxpayers have been paying,” Raman remarked.
As the community awaits these vital results, it is noteworthy that several other counties across California, including Ventura, Orange, and Sacramento, along with San Francisco, have already released their findings for 2026, highlighting the urgency for Los Angeles to do the same.
