Homeless Population in Los Angeles Continues to Grow Despite Outmigration

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, July 25, 2026

Los Angeles has seen its homeless population rise to 45,194 as of January despite a decline in the city’s overall residents, with a notable increase in those sleeping outdoors. This growth, coupled with concerns over the effectiveness and oversight of city-funded shelter programs, intensifies scrutiny ahead of the upcoming mayoral runoff election.

The homeless population in Los Angeles continues to grow despite a notable decline in the city’s overall population, according to a recent municipal report. While tens of thousands of residents have left the city since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of people experiencing homelessness has increased.

The report indicates that as of January, Los Angeles counted 45,194 homeless individuals, representing a rise from 35,550 in 2019 and 41,980 in 2022, the year Mayor Karen Bass took office. The overall increase includes those temporarily housed in motel rooms funded by the city, but the number of individuals sleeping outdoors in encampments or vehicles climbed by 7.9%, outpacing the general rise of 3.4% in the broader homeless population.

Despite significant expenditures, critics question the effectiveness of current programs. Under Mayor Bass’s key initiative, the city spends an average of $82,420 annually per homeless individual sheltered in motels. However, approximately 40% of those placed in such temporary accommodations reportedly return to the streets, with substance abuse often cited as a contributing factor.

Concerns about transparency and oversight have also emerged. A third-party audit conducted last year criticized the city’s homeless agency for inadequate tracking of expenditures, bed availability, and service outcomes. Federal Judge David Carter, overseeing a related lawsuit against the city, expressed surprise at the lack of accountability, noting that providers delivering services to the homeless were not being properly monitored. “Nobody is asking our providers what they did or what services they performed,” Judge Carter said, warning that potential fraud could go undetected.

As the city approaches the November runoff election, homelessness is a contentious issue. Mayor Bass faces City Councilwoman Nithya Raman, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, who has opposed clearing homeless encampments. With ongoing challenges related to public sanitation and safety, many residents remain concerned about the persistence of visible homelessness and its impact on neighborhoods.

The situation suggests a complex interplay between population shifts and homelessness in Los Angeles, highlighting the difficulties municipal authorities face in devising effective solutions.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.