Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority Releases Point-in-Time Count Findings

By LILY TINOCO | Assistant Editor

Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority released the results of this year’s Point-in-Time Count on Friday, June 28, revealing the first reductions in the number of people experiencing homelessness in LA City and County since 2018.

Meanwhile, the Palisades saw “a few more” people experiencing homelessness compared to last year, according to a tally compiled by Pacific Palisades Task Force on Homelessness.

The Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count is a three-day census of individuals and families experiencing homelessness. The 2024 count took place from January 23 to 25.

“Los Angeles County’s Point-in-Time estimate declined by 0.27% to 75,312, while the City of Los Angeles’ Point-in-Time estimate declined by 2.2% to 45,252,” according to LAHSA.

LAHSA reported that the estimate for unsheltered homelessness in the county decreased by approximately 5.1% to 52,365 compared with last year, while the shelter count increased by 12.7% to 22,947.

The city saw its unsheltered homelessness estimate decline to 29,275 or 10.4%, while the shelter count increased by 15,977 or 17.7%.

LAHSA reported that people are moving through the rehousing system faster.

“This year’s Homeless Count shows that we are finally moving in the right direction,” Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the LAHSA Commission Lindsey Horvath said in a statement. “We must continue to move with urgency across all levels of government and in every community in Los Angeles County to bring our unhoused neighbors inside.”

Pacific Palisades first participated in the count in 2015 and has assisted annually since, with the leadership of PPTFH.

Approximately 40 individuals volunteered early Wednesday morning, January 24, to help conduct the annual Homeless Count in the Palisades. Individuals were divvied up into teams and made their way to the streets—spanning the Highlands, Alphabet Streets and beyond—taking count of encampments, cars, tents and individuals.

A tally by PPTFH showed a “few more” people experiencing homelessness in the area than the previous year.

This year, PPTFH Co-President Cindi Young said a few changes were made to the process. Volunteers in the Palisades were requested to not count people experiencing homelessness on the beach or in vehicles along Pacific Coast Highway, according to Young.

“Nonetheless, PPTFH did send a team to count Will Rogers [State] Beach, as well as RVs and other vehicles along PCH,” according to PPTFH. “This enabled us to compare this year’s data with previous years’ data. PPTFH reports raw data.”

PPTFH’s count results saw a total of 16 individuals experiencing homelessness, 43 vehicles—comprised of 25 cars, 12 vans and six RVs—and three tents, or makeshift shelters.

These numbers are slightly higher than last year’s findings. In 2023, PPTFH reported a total of 11 individuals, 35 vehicles and two tents, or makeshift shelters.

LAHSA told the Post community data will be released, but “isn’t ready yet” and “will take some additional time.” This will include Palisades-specific numbers through LAHSA’s raw data.

“We no longer calculate estimates below the [service planning area] level, but the Palisades should be included when it is released,” a representative said.