The struggle with homelessness in Los Angeles County has reached a critical point, as highlighted by a recent report. This development presents another significant challenge for Mayor Karen Bass, who is already facing mounting pressure.
According to the report, the homeless population across the county increased by 1.2 percent over the past year, resulting in an estimated 73,040 individuals living without homes. This figure spans across the county’s 85 cities, underscoring the widespread nature of the crisis.
Focusing on the city of Los Angeles itself, the situation appears more daunting. Homelessness rose by 3.4 percent, bringing the estimated total to 45,194 people struggling to find shelter within city limits.
The number of people living in precarious conditions—including those residing in encampments or vehicles—grew by 3.3 percent across the broader county. Within the city, this increase was even more pronounced, with a startling 7.9 percent rise in such living situations.
Despite Mayor Bass’s initiative to tackle homelessness by investing approximately $82,420 annually for each individual accommodated in motels, the challenges remain formidable. Nearly 40 percent of those provided with temporary shelter eventually find themselves back on the streets, often grappling with addiction and other obstacles that impede long-term stability, as reported by the Wall Street Journal.
The latest figures mark a reversal from the progress seen in recent years. In the city of Los Angeles, unsheltered homelessness had fallen 7.9 percent in last year’s count, with a 17.5 percent drop over the previous two years.
Officials said the stalled progress was driven by fewer homeless residents moving into shelters, along with funding cuts and a shortage of affordable housing preventing people from transitioning into permanent homes.
In a statement, Mayor Bass acknowledged the troubling numbers but vowed to continue her efforts to tackle the homelessness crisis.
Los Angeles County’s homelessness crisis has surged, posing a major setback for Mayor Karen Bass’ push to tackle the issue
Los Angeles County’s homeless population rose 1.2 percent from last year, reaching an estimated total of 73,040 people across the county, which comprises 85 cities
Drug use is rampant across the city and culminates in the bedlam that is downtown LA
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‘For two years straight, we drove down homelessness by historic margins – but as expected, last year our efforts ultimately couldn’t keep up with policies and funding cuts at the federal and state levels that pushed more people onto the streets,’ the statement read, per ABC7.
She went on to blame the Trump administration for rising costs of gas, groceries and rent, as well as cuts to safety-net programs, saying those pressures have contributed to homelessness in Los Angeles.
‘Last year’s 50 percent cut in state HHAP funding from $1 billion to $500 million – resulting in a $70 million hit to L.A. city alone – severely impacted our work to keep people housed and get more Angelenos off the streets,’ the statement continued.
Bass added that the city raised ‘philanthropic dollars’ to help offset the cuts and worked with other mayors to push for restoration of the funding, which was brought back to $900 million.
‘The lack of adequate services provided by L.A. County continues to be a real problem and a contributing factor to people cycling in and out of homelessness,’ the statement said.
Despite these challenges, Bass said Los Angeles has reduced homelessness by 11 percent since 2023, moved tens of thousands into temporary housing, helped 6,000 people leave the streets through Inside Safe, and housed more than 1,000 homeless veterans.
‘We declared a homelessness state of emergency on day one, addressed 130 encampments, and helped keep 85,000 people in their homes through eviction defense. We’re doubling down on what works.’
Bass blamed the Trump administration for rising costs of gas, groceries and rent, as well as cuts to safety-net programs, saying those pressures have contributed to homelessness in Los Angeles
Graffiti-covered walls, discarded belongings and litter-strewn sidewalks have become common sights in parts of the downtown core
A homeless man sits on a mattress in downtown Los Angeles
The homeless crisis is a critical issue in the Los Angeles mayoral race. Pictured above is an encampment in Los Angeles on June 25, 2025
But Bass also acknowledged that parts of the system are failing, saying the city’s decades-long approach through LAHSA has been plagued by poor tracking of funds, unpaid providers and eroding public trust.
‘The City must build something better – results-driven, transparent, and centered around the people we’re trying to help, not the bureaucracy,’ the statement concluded.
Los Angeles Councilwoman Nithya Raman, a rival to Bass in the mayoral race, called this year’s figures ‘disappointing, but not surprising’ in a statement.
‘Leadership at City Hall has not shown the willingness to shift toward an approach that actually moves people into permanent housing. And these results make clear that the Mayor’s approach is not working well enough.
‘The results in my district tell a different story-a significant decrease in the number of people living on our streets. Those results came from sustained, hands-on work, and I am confident we can bring that approach-and those results-citywide,’ she added.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Bass’ office for comment.