Earlier this week, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority released its annual Homeless Count, revealing a shocking 10% rise in homelessness countywide. This increase is the second-largest in the report’s five-year history. However, within this countywide jump lies an even more surprising statistic.
In the span of just one year, from 2022 to 2023, the number of people experiencing homelessness in “Service Planning Area 5” skyrocketed by a staggering 45%. This area includes affluent neighborhoods such as Bel Air, Beverly Hills, Brentwood, and Santa Monica. The count went from 4,604 to 6,669 individuals, marking a rise of 2,065 in just 12 months.
Ironically, SPA 5 encompasses some of L.A.’s most expensive zip codes, with a median income 54% higher than that of the entire county. Residents of this area have been voicing their concerns about the growing homelessness crisis for years.
Just this week, Los Angeles City Councilwoman Traci Park took action by introducing a motion to address the issues faced by people living in recreational vehicles within her district. This district includes many of the same locales as SPA 5. The motion proposes a $500,000 investment in an RV Rehousing Pilot Program, which aims to provide support services and pathways to permanent housing for RV dwellers. This proposal comes after a recent incident in Venice, where a mother and her children narrowly escaped an RV fire. A similar pilot program led by Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez successfully reduced the number of RVs in her district.
It is clear that urgent action is needed to combat the homelessness crisis in Los Angeles. The city must come together to find innovative solutions and provide support to those in need.
