Los Angeles Almanac Logo
Home | All Almanac Topics | Social Welfare

Homelessness in Los Angeles County
2022

Homeless in Los Angeles County

Los Angeles Almanac Photo.


On September 8, 2022, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority issued its first release of 2022 results from the annual homeless count taken in February. The count revealed a 4.1 percent increase in homelessness for Los Angeles County from 2020 to 2022 (no count was conducted in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). The city of Los Angeles saw a smaller 1.7 percent increase.

According to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, an estimated 69,144 people experienced homeless in Los Angeles County during 2022. Of these, more than 20,000 were provided with shelter on any night. Although unsheltered homelessness only increased 1% in 2022 over 2020, the number of tents, vehicles, and makeshift shelters increased by 17%. This was largely a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and measures taken to minimize the spread of the virus among this highly vulnerable population. Nonetheless, since 2019, Los Angeles County saw a 62% increase in shelter beds for the homeless. The sheltered population increased 12% over 2020.

One alarming increase found in the 2020 count is the Hispanic/Latino percentage of the homeless population, increasing from 36% in 2020 to 42% in 2022.

The number of homeless minors in 2022 (under the age of 18) was just over 6,500, or 9% of the county's homeless population. The vast majority of these, however, were accompanied by at least one parent or guardian.

Although homeless people are found throughout the county, the largest concentrations in 2022 continued to be in the Metro (Central) Los Angeles region (26%), South Los Angeles region (21%) and San Fernando Valley region (14%). Most homeless people are from the Los Angeles area and stay in or near the communities from which they came. About 6% are veterans. African Americans make up 34% of Los Angeles County's homeless population – a highly disproportionate number as compared to the percentage of the African American population in Los Angeles County overall (about 8 percent).


Also see: Population in Poverty in Los Angeles County.

Other Facts About the 2022 Homeless Population in Los Angeles County:

  • 9% are under age 18.
  • 32% are female.
  • 16% are in family units (often headed by a single mother}.
  • 18% are physically disabled.
  • 9% are developmental disabled.
  • 41% are chronically homeless.
  • 24% have substance abuse disorders.
  • 22% suffer from serious mental illness.
  • 33% experienced domestic/intimate partner violence.


Homeless Population Counts
By the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority

Since 2005, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, an agency of the City of Los Angeles, has conducted numerical and demographic counts of homelessness, not only within the city of Los Angeles, but throughout Los Angeles County. Over the course of three days in January, this count is conducted with the help of thousands of volunteers branching out throughout Los Angeles County.

Also see: Homeless Counts in Los Angeles County by City (Updated for 2022)
and independent homeless counts by Long Beach, Glendale, and Pasadena.


Homeless Population Counts in Los Angeles County
All Los Angeles County & City of Los Angeles

Numbers for all Los Angeles County communities are included.

Year City of Los Angeles All Los Angeles County
Total Unsheltered Sheltered Total Unsheltered Sheltered
2022 41,980 28,458 13,522 69,144 48,548 20,596
2021 No count counducted this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020 41,290 28,852 12,438 66,436 48,041 18,395
2019 36,300 27,221 8,944 58,936 42,471 13,786
2018 31,285 22,887 8,398 52,765 39,396 13,369
Year City of Los Angeles All Los Angeles County
Total Unsheltered Sheltered Total Unsheltered Sheltered
2017 34,189 25,237 8,952 57,794 42,828 14,966
2015 25,686 17,687 7,999 44,359 31,018 13,341
2013 22,993 14,968 8,025 39,463 25,136 14,327
2011 - - - 39,135 20,517 19,176
2009 - - - 38,602 21,073 16,745
Year City of Los Angeles All Los Angeles County
Total Unsheltered Sheltered Total Unsheltered Sheltered
2007 - - - 52,956 39,168 13,788
2005 - - - 65,287 53,429 11,858

Homeless Population by Geographic Area
By Service Planning Areas (SPAs)

Numbers include those for Glendale (SPA 2), Long Beach (SPA 8) and Pasadena (SPA 3)

Year Antelope Valley
(SPA 1)
San Fernando Valley
(SPA 2)
San Gabriel Valley
(SPA 3)
Metro LA
(SPA 4)
West LA
(SPA 5)
South LA
(SPA 6)
East LA County
(SPA 7)
South Bay/
Harbor
(SPA 8)
2022 4,598 9,829 5,173 17,820 4,604 14,598 4,747 7,775
2021 No count counducted this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020 4,755 9,277 5,082 17,121 6,009 13,012 4,586 6,594
2019 3,293 7,730 4,489 16,436 5,262 9,543 5,095 4,409
2018 3,203 7,738 4,282 14,218 4,401 8,343 4,569 6,011
Year Antelope Valley
(SPA 1)
San Fernando Valley
(SPA 2)
San Gabriel Valley
(SPA 3)
Metro LA
(SPA 4)
West LA
(SPA 5)
South LA
(SPA 6)
East LA County
(SPA 7)
South Bay/
Harbor
(SPA 8)
2017 4,559 7,459 3,552 15,393 5,511 9,243 5,189 4,282
2015 2,818 5,216 3,093 11,681 4,276 7,513 3,571 3,006
2013 2,113 4,836 2,794 10,472 3,667 7,045 2,429 2,168
2011 1,412 3,720 2,499 10,086 3,512 7,541 3,208 2,644
2009 1,609 3,312 2,780 10,339 3,738 5,504 2,993 2,401
Year Antelope Valley
(SPA 1)
San Fernando Valley
(SPA 2)
San Gabriel Valley
(SPA 3)
Metro LA
(SPA 4)
West LA
(SPA 5)
South LA
(SPA 6)
East LA County
(SPA 7)
South Bay/
Harbor
(SPA 8)
2007 1,238 4,464 6,648 16,109 4,580 7,786 3,806 3,806
2005 2,404 8,051 7,145 14,041 4,773 11,919 4,982 5,918


Map of Los Angeles County Service Planning Areas


Race/Ethnicity of Homeless
Point-in-Time Count, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018

Race/ Ethnic Group City of Los Angeles All of Los Angeles County*
2022 2020 2019 2018 2022 2020 2019 2018
American Indian/ Alaska Native 474
(1.1%)
430
(1.0%)
530
(1.5%)
324
(1.0%)
610
(0.9%)
686
(1.1%)
975
(1.7%)
565
(1.1%)
Asian 434
(1.0%)
502
(1.2%)
299
(0.8%)
352
(1.1%)
598
(0.9%)
774
(1.2%)
455
(0.8%)
545
(1.1%)
Black/ African American 13,814
(32.9%)
15,622
(37.8%)
13,629
(37.7%)
12,235
(39.1%)
19,523
(28.2%)
21,509
(33.8%)
18,719
(33.3%)
17,825
(35.7%)
Hispanic/ Latino 17,470
(41.6%)
13,424
(32.5%)
12,403
(34.3%)
10,813
(34.6%)
28,940
(41.9%)
23,005
(36.1%)
20,523
(36.5%)
17,540
(35.1%)
Race/ Ethnic Group City of Los Angeles All of Los Angeles County*
2022 2020 2019 2018 2022 2020 2019 2018
Multi-Racial/ Other 1,365
(3.3%)
943
(2.3%)
981
(2.7%)
506
(1.6%)
1,637
(2.4%)
1,319
(2.1%)
1,400
(2.5%)
721
(1.4%)
Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander 96
(0.2%)
76
(0.2%)
100
(0.3%)
77
(0.2%)
142
(0.2%)
205
(0.3%)
314
(0.6%)
221
(0.4%)
White 8,327
(19.8%)
10,293
(24.9%)
8,223
(22.7%)
6,978
(22.3%)
13,661
(19.8%)
16,208
(25.4%)
13,871
(24.7%)
12,538
(25.1%)

* Accumulated numbers for all Service Planning Areas. These do not include those for Glendale, Long Beach and Pasadena.


Age Group of Homeless
Point-in-Time Count, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018

Age Group/ Percentage City of Los Angeles All of Los Angeles County*
2022 2020 2019 2018 2022 2020 2019 2018
Under 18 4,259
(10.1%)
4,923
(11.9%)
3,305
(9.1%)
3,022
(9.7%)
6,502
(9.4%)
7,491
(11.8%)
5,061
(9.0%)
4,731
(9.5%)
18 - 24 1,681
(4.0%)
2,910
(7.0%)
2,272
(6.3%)
2,052
(6.6%)
2,960
(4.3%)
4,181
(6.6%)
3,527
(6.3%)
2,955
(5.9%)
25 - 54 26,381
(62.8%)
23,479
(56.9%)
21,788
(60.1%)
18,446
(59.0%)
40,853
(59.1%)
37,138
(58.3%)
24,063
(42.8%)
29,571
(59.2%)
Age Group/ Percentage City of Los Angeles All of Los Angeles County*
2022 2020 2019 2018 2022 2020 2019 2018
55 - 61 5,336
(12.7%)
5,898
(14.3%)
5,654
(15.6%)
4,755
(15.2%)
8,422
(12.2%)
8,606
(13.5%)
8,375
(14.9%)
7,871
(15.8%)
62 and Over 4,323
(10.3%)
4,080
(9.9%)
3,146
(8.7%)
3,010
(9.6%)
6,702
(9.7%)
6,290
(9.9%)
5,231
(9.3%)
4,827
(9.7%)

* Accumulated numbers for all Service Planning Areas. These do not include those for Glendale, Long Beach and Pasadena.


Other Characteristics of Homeless
Point-in-Time Count, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018

Characteristic/Percentage City of Los Angeles All of Los Angeles County*
2022 2020 2019 2018 2022 2020 2019 2018
Veterans 1,895
(4.5%)
2,120
(5.1%)
2,197
(6.1%)
2,048
(6.5%)
3,942
(5.7%)
3,681
(5.8%)
3,879
(6.9%)
3,886
(7.4%)
Chronically Homeless Individuals 17,272
(41.1%)
14,896
(36.1%)
10,084
(27.9%)
8,360
(26.7%)
27,154
(39.3%)
23,075
(36.2%)
15,855
(28.2%)
13,559
(25.7%)
Chronically Homeless Family Members 910
(2.2%)
867
(2.1%)
632
(1.7%)
278
(0.9%)
1,422
(2.1%)
1,407
(2.2%)
674
(1.2%)
516
(1.0%)
Substance Use Disorder 10,636
(28.2%)
10,357
(25.1%)
4,888
(2%)
4,738
(15.1%)
16,431
(26.2%)
15,203
(27.0%)
7,829
(13.9%)
7,117
(13.5%)
Characteristic/Percentage City of Los Angeles All of Los Angeles County*
2022 2020 2019 2018 2022 2020 2019 2018
Persons with HIV/AIDS 900
(2.4%)
904
(2.2%)
1,221
(3.4%)
588
(1.9%)
1,478
(2.4%)
1,165
(2.1%)
1,309
(2.3%)
740
(1.4%)
Serious Mental Illness 9,367
(24.8%)
9,123
(22.1%)
12,869
(35.6%)
7,843
(25.1%)
15,449
(24.7%)
14,125
(25.1%)
13,675
(24.3%)
12,748
(24.2%)
Physical Disability 8,343
(22.1%)
6,955
(16.8%)
6,095
(16.9%)
4,391
(14.0%)
12,111
(19.3%)
10,833
(19.3%)
9,232
(16.4%)
6,756
(12.8%)
Developmental Disability 4,425
(11.7%)
4,064
(9.8%)
3,089
(8.5%)
1,764
(5.6%)
5,917
(9.4%)
5,292
(9.4%)
4,370
(7.8%)
2,530
(4.8%)
Characteristic/Percentage City of Los Angeles All of Los Angeles County*
2022 2020 2019 2018 2022 2020 2019 2018
Domestic Violence Experience 15,662
(41.5%)
11,622
(28.1%)
12,860
(35.6%)
9,088
(29.0%)
23,091
(36.9%)
18,345
(32.6%)
20,265
(36.0%)
13,374
(25.3%)
Homeless Due to Fleeing Domestic Violence 2,534
(6.7%)
2,741
(6.6%)
1,870
(5.2%)
1,913
(6.1%)
4,750
(7.6%)
3,884
(6.9%)
3,940
(7.0%)
3,076
(5.8%)

Physical Disability, Developmental Disability, and Domestic Violence Experience. Numbers in these categories do not include those for Glendale, Long Beach and Pasadena.
* Accumulated numbers for all Service Planning Areas. These do not include those for Glendale, Long Beach and Pasadena.
† Numbers are homeless population age 18 and over and percentages are prevalence in this population only.



The 2022 homeless count by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority found, county-wide, 121 unaccompanied homeless minors (under age 18) (69 in 2020; 66 in 2019; 63 in 2018). Most were sheltered, however, with only five found to be unsheltered.


Homeless Young People
Point-in-Time Count, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018

Youth Age Group City of Los Angeles All of Los Angeles County*
2022 2020 2019 2018 2022 2020 2019 2018
Transitional Age Youth (18-24): Total 1,037 2,083 1,833 1,573 2,067 3,029 2,818 2,274
Transitional Age Youth (18-24): Sheltered 574 613 569 576 994 1,005 931 864
Transitional Age Youth (18-24): Unsheltered 463 1,470 1,237 997 1,073 2,075 1,887 1,410
Youth Age Group City of Los Angeles All of Los Angeles County*
2022 2020 2019 2018 2022 2020 2019 2018
Unaccompanied Minors (Under 18): Total 90 17 54 58 121 69 66 63
Unaccompanied Minors (Under 18): Sheltered 88 13 21 31 116 25 21 35
Unaccompanied Minors (Under 18): Unsheltered 2 4 33 27 5 44 45 28

* Numbers do not include those for Glendale, Long Beach and Pasadena.


Homeless in Motor Vehicles**
By Service Planning Areas (SPAs)
Point-in-Time Count, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2018

Service Planning Area 2022 2020 2019 2018
Motor Vehicles People Motor Vehicles People Motor Vehicles People Motor Vehicles People
Antelope Valley
(SPA 1)
2,518 1,873 950 1,917 731 1,047 706 1,271
San Fernando Valley
(SPA 2)*
3,392 2,315 1,695 3,171 2,037 3,287 1,895 3,292
San Gabriel Valley
(SPA 3)*
787 503 675 1,241 523 964 563 959
Metro LA
(SPA 4)
3,355 1,961 1,950 3,063 1,579 2,712 1,449 2,474
West LA
(SPA 5)
1,391 895 1,055 1,714 987 1,555 790 1,341
Service Planning Area 2022 2020 2019 2018
Motor Vehicles People Motor Vehicles People Motor Vehicles People Motor Vehicles People
South LA
(SPA 6)
4,952 3,394 2,606 4,108 2,049 3,330 1,767 3,057
East LA County
(SPA 7)
1,199 790 1,063 1,844 998 1,568 894 1,539
South Bay/ Harbor
(SPA 8)*
1,804 1,144 1,130 1,846 1,077 2,062 1,053 1,816
Total* 19,402 12,875 11,124 18,904 9,981 16,525 9,117 15,748

* Numbers do not include those for Glendale (SPA 2), Long Beach (SPA 8) and Pasadena (SPA 3).
** Motor vehicles include cars, vans, motor homes and RVs.

Source: Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority


Also see: Shelter Partnership, Inc. Established in 1985, the organization works throughout Los Angeles County to help bring expertise to develop housing and resources for homeless people.


TAX & BOND REVENUES TO FIGHT HOMELESSNESS:

City of Los Angeles Supportive Housing Proposition (Proposition HHH, $1.2-billion bond, passed November 2016)
County of Los Angeles Homeless Initiative (Measure H, 1/4-cent sales tax increase, passed March 2017).


Is it less costly to help the homeless get off the street than to leave them there? Weingart Center, in a 2015 interview with Fast Company, proposed that an "investment" of $10,000 can help a homeless person obtain housing, food, job training and ultimately a job, along with support services to acheive that end. On the other hand, leaving a homeless person on the street costs Los Angeles an average of $35,000 each year in medical and emergency services, mental health care, social services and law enforcement. Jailing a homeless person pushes that cost up by a third.

L.A. Video

L.A. Videos

Countering Myths of Homelessness

Countering Myths of Homelessness

We can only hope to end homelessness if we learn the truth about homelessness.