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Helping the Homeless

The challenges associated with homelessness in Los Angeles have their origins dating back to World War II. A comprehensive understanding of this history, in conjunction with the present crisis, is essential for formulating practical solutions to assist those without permanent housing.

Understanding the Crisis (formerly a Growing Issue to Solve)

Homelessness in Los Angeles isn’t a new issue — but in recent years, it has worsened and become more visible than ever. Thousands of people across the region struggle to find or maintain stable housing, often pushed to the margins by rising costs, job loss, health problems, or unexpected emergencies.

In a city where opportunity and hardship coexist, the reasons someone becomes unhoused are complex. Some face medical or mental health issues without access to care. Others lose a job or are priced out by rent hikes. For many, a single life event — such as an illness, eviction, or family crisis — can be the tipping point.

Homelessness isn’t limited to any one neighborhood or demographic; it affects individuals and families of all ages, backgrounds, and stories. And while progress has been made, the need remains urgent. MySafe:LA sees homelessness not as an unsolvable crisis, but as a community challenge — one that requires compassion, cooperation, and a shared commitment to dignity and safety for all Angelenos.

Why We Count

Behind every number is a person — and every person deserves to be seen. That’s why the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) conducts the annual Point-in-Time Count, a region-wide effort to measure how many people are living without stable housing across Los Angeles County.

The count doesn’t just tally statistics — it helps reveal the realities of homelessness in our communities: where people are living, what challenges they face, and how conditions are changing over time. This data guides public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and local leaders in shaping policies, funding programs, and creating solutions that make a difference.

Recent counts show both progress and persistent challenge. While some areas of Los Angeles are seeing small but meaningful declines in unsheltered homelessness, thousands of individuals and families remain without a safe place to live. The causes are as varied as the people affected — from the rising cost of housing and healthcare to economic instability and systemic inequities that limit access to support.

At MySafe:LA, we pay close attention to this data because it helps us understand where prevention, education, and community safety efforts can make the most significant impact. Every count represents more than numbers — it’s a reminder that progress is possible when compassion, collaboration, and evidence come together.

Beyond the Numbers

Counting people experiencing homelessness is only the first step — real change occurs when we act on what the numbers show. At MySafe:LA, we believe that safety and dignity are interconnected. That’s why our outreach goes beyond just education and includes connection, meeting people where they are and tackling the risks that come with living without stable shelter.

Our teams work with partner agencies and local fire departments to provide fire and life safety education in encampments, install smoke alarms in transitional housing, and conduct emergency preparedness training for individuals moving into supportive housing. We share resources on heat safety, CPR and first aid, and personal emergency planning — practical skills that can save lives long before professional help arrives.

Through every conversation, class, and act of compassion, we see what the statistics can’t show: the strength, courage, and hope of people determined to rebuild their lives. The count gives us the data, but people give us the reason. And together, we’re working toward a Los Angeles where no one is left outside the circle of safety.

A Brief History of Homelessness in Los Angeles

Homelessness in Los Angeles has deep roots — shaped by decades of social, economic, and policy decisions that still echo today.

While the Great Depression displaced millions nationwide, Los Angeles saw its own crisis take hold during and after World War II. The city’s population exploded as workers arrived to support the defense industry, but housing development couldn’t keep up. Federal programs were created to build new housing and regulate rents. Yet, these same policies also led to redlining and discriminatory zoning that excluded many people of color from home ownership and the postwar housing boom. That legacy of inequality left lasting gaps in opportunity and stability.

In the 1950s and 1960s, California began closing its large mental health institutions — often without creating adequate community-based alternatives. Thousands of people, many struggling with untreated mental illness, found themselves without housing or care. As services disappeared, incarceration and homelessness became tragically intertwined, particularly among communities already facing systemic barriers.

By the 1970s, city and county policies further concentrated homelessness in specific areas. The creation of a “containment zone” in Skid Row in 1976, followed by “zero tolerance” policing in the early 2000s, reinforced public perceptions that homelessness was a criminal issue rather than a humanitarian one. The cycle of displacement continued.

Meanwhile, Los Angeles kept growing — sometimes dramatically. In just two years during the 1990s, the city’s population grew by more than 65,000 people, yet fewer than 2,000 new housing units were added. The math didn’t add up, and the results are still visible on our streets today.

Homelessness in Los Angeles didn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of decades of imbalance — between growth and housing, policy and compassion, visibility and understanding. To solve it, we must learn from that history and work together toward a more equitable and resilient future.

Can Homelessness in L.A. be Fixed?

It’s one of the most common — and most emotional — questions asked across Los Angeles: With all the money, attention, and effort, why is homelessness still such a challenge?
The truth is complicated. Every day, people without stable housing face serious risks — fires from unsafe heating or cooking, exposure to heat and storms, medical emergencies, and the trauma of living on the streets. For many Angelenos, these scenes are visible every day, leading to compassion fatigue and frustration. It’s easy to wish the crisis would “go away.” But real change doesn’t come from quick fixes or isolated neighborhoods. It happens through understanding, coordination, and dedication.

Homelessness can be greatly reduced. Streets can be cleaner. Parks can be safe for everyone. And most importantly, people can find the dignity, stability, and services they need to rebuild their lives. But that requires more than just policy. It takes political will, public understanding, and a cultural shift — one that sees people experiencing homelessness not as a problem to be managed, but as neighbors in need of opportunity and care.
Solutions must treat people as partners in their own recovery, not as criminals or statistics. Everyone deserves to be heard, respected, and included in decisions that affect their lives. Without that human-centered perspective, even well-funded programs fall short.

The UCLA Luskin Center for History and Policy has produced an insightful report outlining the history, challenges, and potential paths forward for addressing homelessness in Los Angeles. Its conclusions reinforce what we already know: progress requires coordination, accountability, and compassion across every level of our city.

At MySafe:LA, education and awareness are critical parts of that solution. Our work to strengthen community safety and resilience includes understanding homelessness — its causes, its risks, and its humanity. When we approach this challenge as a shared responsibility, Los Angeles moves closer to being not just a safer city, but a more compassionate one.
Homeless Crisis Report
Luskin Center Podcast
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