Accounting Glitch Alters L.A.’s Homeless Count, Reveals Overstated Increase

In a recent revelation, an accounting error significantly impacted the reported increase in Los Angeles’ homeless population. The data, released by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), indicated a 24% rise in Skid Row’s homeless numbers, contributing to a citywide increase of 3.4%. However, it was later discovered that this increase was largely due to 614 additional shelter bed occupants, beds that have existed for years but were inconsistently counted in the annual tally.

This inconsistency stems from the complex relationship between church and state, affecting whether these beds are included in the count. Consequently, the actual citywide homelessness rate increase was closer to 1.9%, not 3.4%, as initially reported. This adjustment also affects previous years’ data, slightly altering the perceived trends in homelessness rates.

Mayor Karen Bass, whose administration’s handling of homelessness is a focal point of her reelection campaign, expressed that she had not been informed of these discrepancies before the data release. She emphasized her desire for a city-controlled count to ensure accuracy and reliability.

City Councilmember Monica Rodriguez, a critic of LAHSA, argued that these findings support her call for reallocating city funding away from LAHSA to establish a new city-led initiative. Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, representing Skid Row, deferred comments to LAHSA.

This situation underscores the challenges in accurately measuring homelessness and the importance of reliable data to inform public policy and community responses. As Proverbs 31:8-9 reminds us, speaking up for those who cannot speak for themselves is a call to action, urging communities to seek justice and accountability in addressing homelessness.

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