In 2025, homelessness rates among California residents decreased, according to a delayed report by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
This is the first year-over-year decline in the number of people without homes since 2016.
HUD’s report revealed that there were 181,934 people experiencing homelessness in California in 2025, which was a 2.8% decrease since 2024.
California was one of five states that saw the largest drop in the number of unhoused people.
In 17 neighborhoods throughout the state, there was a drop in “chronically homeless” Californians, disabled people who have gone without a home for a year or longer.
Los Angeles (LA) County reported that, in total, there were around 2,394 fewer “chronically” unhoused people.
LA County attributed this decline to several efforts like street outreach, opening and providing housing to residents quicker, and a system that matched unhoused individuals to available apartments.
Background Information
HUD releases a new report revealing updated data on homelessness in America each year.
The paper details the updated numbers of unhoused people per state and across the country. Additionally, it examines how the current policies to combat homelessness are working.
HUD’s report found that there was a 3.3% decline in homelessness nationwide.
The annual report, which has been released since 2007, has always been significant to the shaping of homelessness policies.
Additionally, it has been pointed to by many politicians throughout the years to advocate for their specific proposed policies, or boast about their success.
In a news release, the National Homelessness Law Center responded to this year’s report.
The center pointed to the fact that the drop in unhoused rates occurred under President Joe Biden.
“Today’s release of the Point in Time (PIT) Homeless Census shows that, between 2024 and 2025, homelessness fell by 3.3% nationwide,” the law center’s news release read. “This PIT count, conducted just weeks into Trump’s second term, reflects the progress made through the Biden administration’s commitment to proven solutions to homelessness, like housing and support.”
The press release further stated that Donald Trump has done “everything in his power” to impede the work of lowering homelessness rates.
The law center cited the Louisiana bill that forces unhoused individuals facing addiction to either go to jail or enter treatment for one year. If they cannot fund their own rehab costs, they have to perform unpaid labor for their communities or government upon release.
The law center also pointed to the “Public Safety and Mental Health Initiative,” which includes involuntary hospitalizations, and cuts to HUD’s homelessness program among others.
Homelessness Since 2007
Despite the 3.3% drop, the number of unhoused residents nationwide is still quite high. Approximately 745,652 residents were experiencing homelessness nationwide, one of the highest totals recorded since HUD began tracking the data.
From 2007, when HUD’s annual count began, through 2016, the percentage of unhoused residents steadily declined nationwide.
A similar decline was mostly found in California, but from 2017 to 2024, homelessness increased in the state by around 30%.
This significant increase has been attributed to high living costs (California is the most expensive state in the nation), a shortage of housing, and a lack of room in shelters, among other challenges.
Across the U.S., from 2016 to 2020, this number slowly increased from around 549,928 to 580,466 people. The annual count was suspended in 2021 due to COVID-19, but in 2022, the number of unhoused people was approximately 582,462.
From 2022 to 2024, the homelessness rate spiked a whopping 30%. Around 771,400 people were found to be without homes in 2024.
Per a report from the National Alliance to End Homelessness, this spike was largely due to a lack of available housing, inflation, poor safety nets, discriminatory policies, and lack of options for immigrants.
“In 2023 and 2024, the already-stretched homeless response system was also responding to a new development. Large numbers of new arrivals, including many children, entered the United States, seeking economic opportunity and often fleeing persecution and unsafe conditions in their home countries. Underfunded housing and resettlement programs — together with policies that prevent asylum seekers from being able to work for nearly a year — forced many to turn to local homeless service providers for assistance,” the report read.
Now cry some more, MAGAts, about how CA is doing nothing to help the homeless. Almost a 3% decrease in a year isn’t too shabby. You can thank Gov. Newsom for this.
MAGAcans are professional crybabies.
The article states: “LA County attributed this decline to several efforts like street outreach, opening and providing housing to residents quicker, and a system that matched unhoused individuals to available apartments.” No mention of DEATH amongst the homeless as one of the reasons for the supposed decrease. Official records indicate that on average there are seven deaths per day in Los Angeles County alone. Simple math results in approximately 13,000 fewer living homeless individuals (7 x 365 x 5 years = 12,775). Amazing that people are more interested in making money off the mentally ill and drug addicted living on our streets. The money is there….it’s just not getting to those who need it the most. Not a good look California.
BeeKnee There are fewer people going homeless. Your post is nincompoop-esque and intellectually dishonest. The number wouldn’t decrease if homeless were still filling the pipeline. Why do you just make up things to say without any backing evidence or knowledge of the subject matter. This is studied constantly and your elementary and lackluster argument is easily debunked. It is really hard to read your dim-bulb posts. As a retired teacher do you not have any intrinsic curiosity of the factual world? “Decreases in homeless numbers are not attributed to deaths. While unhoused populations experience disproportionately high mortality rates, demographic research and government data demonstrate that broader, measurable declines in homelessness are driven by successful housing interventions and targeted support services.”
Bend knees, emit flatulence.