Home Affordability in the USC Area
In 2006, when USC began planning its new mixed-use “Village” development, the UNIDAD Coalition ––a group of community-based organizations in South Central–– arose to ensure
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Homelessness
Metadata
Variable Definitions:
Total Homeless Population: The total number of people (both sheltered and unsheltered) experiencing homelessness who are documented during the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA)’s Homeless Count in January
Sheltered Population: The total number of sheltered people experiencing homelessness sleeping in emergency shelters, transitional housing or safe havens during the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA)’s Homeless Count in January
Unsheltered Population: The total number of unsheltered people experiencing homelessness who are observed to be sleeping outside or in a car, van, RV, tent or make-shift shelter during the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA)’s Homeless Count in January
Source:
Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA)’s Homeless Count
Years Available:
2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022
2021 data was not collected by LAHSA due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Note:
Long Beach, Pasadena & Glendale are excluded from this dataset because they do not fall under the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles Continuum of Care.
Why are these variables important to measure?
Homelessness intersects with many policy areas, including housing, economic development, public health, criminal justice, and racial and social justice. With over 66,000 people experiencing homelessness in 2020, up 13% from the previous year, homelessness is a growing problem for L.A. County that has likely worsened during the COVID-19 Pandemic. It is important to understand how many people are experiencing homelessness in the county and where they reside. This data can help policymakers decide where to direct resources and build shelters and new affordable housing.
To measure the population experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County, the Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority (LAHSA) conducts a Point-in-Time (PIT) Count on several nights in January each year. People staying in emergency shelters, transitional housing or safe havens are considered to be “sheltered.” People who are observed sleeping outside or in a car, van, RV, tent or make-shift shelter are considered to be “unsheltered.”
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