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# More than half of state’s down and out live in LA
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/more-than-half-of-states-down-and-out-live-in-la/
- Published: 2006-01-13T16:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T17:02:53.000Z
- Author: Ryan Hyatt
- Tags: Community, Downtown, #archive-import, Homeless, Homelessness

*Millions spent on homeless may reach them*

DOWNTOWN LA — Census data collected a year ago in efforts to address the regional homeless problem was revealed during a press conference on Thursday.

The 198-page report contains detailed demographic information about the county’s homeless population, which policymakers are expected to use to tailor social service programming in the region.

However, specific information regarding the demographics of Santa Monica’s homeless population, as well as other cities, has not yet been released, despite that officials have had the census data for more than a year.

The latest count confirms the Los Angeles metropolitan area is the homeless capital of the country. More than 90,000 homeless dispersed throughout the county account for 11 percent of the nation’s down and out, and more than half in California, according to officials.

Information presented at the press conference also seemed to indicate the homeless populations are well dispersed throughout the county, said Santa Monica City Councilman Richard Bloom.

“The information is not surprising and it shows the gravity of the problem when 11 percent of the nation’s homeless are living within the Los Angeles area,” Bloom said. “It should help people understand there are homeless people everywhere in the county and we all need to participate in the solution.”

Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, a group charged with addressing homeless issues for the county, conducted its homeless head count last January with the assistance of 1,000 volunteers and paid homeless workers. The count was conducted, in large part, so the county could access an estimated $60 million in grant funding from the federal department of Housing and Urban Development for homeless programs and mental health services.

The count included those living in the streets and shelters in Santa Monica.

LAHSA presented a preliminary report in June showing that 83,347 individuals are estimated to be homeless at any given time within the metropolitan area, 42 percent of whom are considered “chronically homeless” — which means they have been on the streets for a year or more, or have had at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years. They also suffer from one or more disability, mental illness or substance abuse.

In addition to LAHSA’s count, there are 7,600 homeless individuals in Glendale, Pasadena and Long Beach, bringing the total number countywide to 91,000\. Those cities will present information regarding their numbers of chronically homeless in coming weeks.

LAHSA will also be providing the city with specific information about Santa Monica’s homeless population in two weeks, Bloom said.

Meanwhile, general findings in the full report indicate that a significant portion of the county’s homeless were once functioning members of society, but events in their lives led to their status.

As many as 24 percent of those homeless counted last year indicated that loss of their job was the primary factor which led to them losing a roof over their head. Almost 35 percent were experiencing a physical disability, and 34 percent were experiencing a mental disability.

In terms of education, 38 percent of those counted had a high school diploma or GED and 16 percent polled had taken some college courses.

Los Angeles has been attempting to bolster its homeless efforts in recent months.

The county’s board of supervisors, which help fund LAHSA, gave the agency a $24.6 million budget boost for the next fiscal year.

Recently passed Proposition 63 will provide funding for the homeless in the region who are mentally ill.

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villar-aigosa has made a commitment on behalf of the city to provide $50 million in housing for homeless services, along with supporting a $1 billion bond measure to develop more affordable housing in the city.

Nearly half — 44 percent — said they weren’t receiving any money from government sources, and 28 percent of those surveyed indicated they tried to access an emergency shelter within 30 days of being polled and were turned away.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 13, 2006.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/011306.pdf?ref=smdp.com)