Los Angeles Homeless Population Sees Modest Decline Amid Persistent Skid Row Sanitation Crisis

Los Angeles, CA – Recent official data indicates a slight decrease in the homeless population across Los Angeles County and the City of Los Angeles for the second consecutive year. This contrasts with observations from residents, including a recent social media post highlighting ongoing concerns about homelessness and severe sanitation issues in areas like Skid Row.

The 2024 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count reported a 0.27% decrease in homelessness countywide, from 75,518 in 2023 to 75,312. Specifically within the City of Los Angeles, the count showed a 2.2% drop, from 46,260 to 45,252. These figures, released by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), suggest a shift towards more sheltered individuals, with unsheltered homelessness in the city decreasing by approximately 10.7%.

Despite these reported declines, a recent tweet from user "T Wolf 🌁" challenged the official narrative. The user stated, "Homelessness is not down. That's a lie perpetrated by the mayor of LA and her staff to save face." The tweet also vividly described the dire sanitation conditions, noting, "The amount of garbage on the street was staggering."

The persistent issue of visible waste and inadequate sanitation, particularly in Skid Row, has long been a critical concern. Public health officials have previously cited overflowing dumpsters, trash-strewn alleys, and rodent infestations, linking these conditions to outbreaks of diseases like typhus. A 2023 study further highlighted that 28% of unhoused individuals in Skid Row resort to open defecation due to lack of 24-hour access to sanitation facilities.

The city has implemented initiatives such as Operation Healthy Streets, involving regular cleanups and sanitation efforts in areas like Skid Row. However, these efforts are often complicated by legal settlements that limit the removal of personal belongings and by the sheer scale of the waste problem. Advocates and residents frequently call for more permanent public restrooms and consistent waste management solutions.

The discrepancy between official statistics and lived experiences underscores the complex nature of Los Angeles's homelessness crisis. While city and county programs like Mayor Karen Bass's "Inside Safe" initiative aim to move individuals into interim housing, the underlying challenges of maintaining public health and cleanliness in areas with large unsheltered populations remain a significant hurdle.