Los Angeles County Begins Annual Homeless Count After Wildfire Delay

The City of Pasadena Department of Housing successfully conducted its delayed 2025 Point-in-Time Homeless Count over two nights, surveying the homeless population across 28 geographic zones with the help of 169 volunteers. This count, postponed due to the Eaton Fire, included assessments of individuals in shelters and transitional housing, with results expected by June 2025. Volunteers utilized a mobile, GIS-enabled survey tool and provided resources such as health services, cold weather supplies, and Narcan kits during the count. Meanwhile, the annual Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count is also underway, following a month-long delay due to wildfires, with volunteers across the region aiming to assess homelessness amidst rising concerns about housing affordability and the impact of recent disasters. Last year's count reported a 27% decrease in unhoused individuals in Los Angeles County, with hopes that ongoing efforts will continue to reduce this number. However, there are calls for improved accountability regarding the allocation of funds aimed at addressing homelessness, as concerns mount over the effectiveness of current strategies.