How much is being spent on homelessness in LA?

In LA County, the FY 2023-24 budget for the Homeless Initiative is $609.7 million. It was the largest annual investment approved by the Board of Supervisors to date to address the needs of people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles County. Funding comes from voter-approved tax revenue, county funds, and state Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention grant dollars.

The FY 2024-25 approved spending plan is even larger, with $783 million proposed. The plan includes:

• $662.3 million allocated for essential elements of the homeless services system, such as homelessness prevention, outreach, interim housing, permanent housing, and supportive services.
• An additional $120.7 million allocated to support Pathway Home and other projects designed to scale up and fast-track the county’s homelessness emergency response.
• Funding to address homeless encampments and specialized outreach to those living in recreational vehicles and high fire severity zones.
• Efforts to reduce the mortality rate among people experiencing homelessness through opiate treatment, harm reduction, and other health interventions.

In the City of Los Angeles, the FY 2023-24 budget includes $1.3 billion to address homelessness in the city. The FY 2024-25 budget proposal includes approximately $950 million.

• This figure includes $185 million for Inside Safe, a program that brings people indoors from encampments once housing is identified.

Facing potential budget deficits and reductions in funding from state and federal sources, the city was forced to pare down its budget, but Mayor Karen Bass has said the city’s plan is more targeted and streamlined.

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