In a significant step forward, Los Angeles has reported a sharp decrease in unhoused deaths, according to a city controller report released earlier today. Data details a 22.9% drop in deaths of the city's unhoused population, from 1,167 fatalities in 2022 down to 900 in 2023. While acknowledging this improvement, officials highlight that every death is still a profound loss.
"Every death that occurs is a tragedy and we express our condolences to those friends, family and community members who have lost a loved one due to this crisis," Mayor Karen Bass is quoted in the report. The decrease comes alongside concerted efforts by the city to rapidly bring tent encampments down and to shift thousands of LA's unhoused residents indoors. In spite of this progress, Bass stressed the need to constantly work to further decrease these numbers and improve the efficiency of homelessness programs.
Recent operations in East Hollywood and Shadow Hills in the San Fernando Valley, dubbed Inside Safe, have successfully moved over 40 unhoused individuals into safer environments. These are part of ongoing interventions supported by the city council and other agencies including the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). Bass has also been proactive in expanding services for the unhoused Angelenos and making systemic changes to combat the crisis more effectively.
Building on these efforts, Bass has amplified Executive Directive 3 with the aim to quickly use publicly-owned land to build more housing. The city is now on a faster track to increase its affordable housing units, exceeding 14,000, due to the mayor's initiatives meant to streamline development. Mayor Bass first signed Executive Directive 3 in February 2023, an order that includes strategies to also manage RV encampments by increasing the City's capacity to properly tow, store, and dismantle surrendered vehicles.
In line with the reported data and ongoing measures, Los Angeles officials remain committed to reducing the number of unhoused deaths and addressing the housing crisis with urgency. Continued updates on these initiatives are expected as the city strives to protect its most vulnerable citizens.
