LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA — Homelessness increased across Los Angeles in 2026, intensifying a dispute between Mayor Karen Bass and City Councilmember Nithya Raman ahead of their November runoff election.
The Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count identified 45,194 unhoused people within the city, a 3.4% increase from the previous year. The number of people living outdoors, in vehicles or other locations not intended for habitation rose nearly 8%.
Raman called the citywide results a failure of leadership and contrasted them with a reported 49% reduction in unsheltered homelessness within her Fourth Council District. She argued that Los Angeles should expand her district’s emphasis on outreach, housing placements and preventing people from losing their homes.
Bass defended her administration, noting that unsheltered homelessness remains 11% lower than when she entered office in 2023. She also highlighted efforts to house more than 1,000 veterans and blamed inadequate county services, rising living costs and reduced federal support for undermining progress.
The mayor’s signature Inside Safe program moves people from encampments into temporary lodging while permanent housing is arranged. Critics have questioned its cost and long-term results, while Bass maintains that the initiative has helped thousands leave the streets.
Homelessness is expected to remain a defining issue when voters choose between Bass and Raman on Nov. 3.
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