The number of people experiencing homelessness in the Los Angeles area continued to rise, according to the 2023 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count.
The survey, conducted by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, showed homelessness increased by 9% in Los Angeles County, while the city of L.A. saw a 10% increase.
At the time the data was collected, which was from January 24 through the 26, 75,518 people were homeless in the county, while 46,260 people were homeless in the city.
Mayor Bass said the data shows just how much of a crisis homelessness in Los Angeles is.
“The data gathered in January represents the crisis our city faces,” she said. “The challenge before us is vast but we will continue to work with urgency to bring Angelenos inside.”
The data was collected when Bass’ Inside Safe Initiative was still in its early stages. On Jan. 19, city lawmakers voted 13-0 to fund the program with $50 million.
Supervisor Kathryn Barger told KNX News’ Jon Baird that while California desperately needs more housing, it won’t solve the problem by itself.
“We are continuing to do the same thing over and over again, which is why I brought in a motion and it was passed to rethink how we are addressing the homeless on the street,” she said.
Barger also said they need to get a waiver from the federal government in order to build facilities for the mentally ill that have more than 16 beds.
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