Los Angeles’ homeless population rose 3.4% last year to 45,194, according to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority’s 2026 count, reversing two straight years of declines. The number of people living unsheltered — in tents, vehicles and outdoors — jumped 7.9%, while homelessness across Los Angeles County climbed 1.2% to more than 73,000.[1]
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said the increase was driven in part by a 50% cut in state temporary housing subsidies, which she said cost the city $70 million in funding, along with inflation pressure from the Trump administration.[1]
California Republican gubernatorial candidate Steve Hilton attacked the city’s response on Fox News’ “Saturday in America,” focusing on reports that a state-funded Skid Row shelter distributed meth pipes to homeless people.[1] Hilton said the issue showed government was not helping people recover, but instead was enabling drug use.[1]
The controversy followed video Hilton filmed in Skid Row, where a woman on camera said a shelter with a $28 million budget was handing out free crack pipes, syringes and foil.[2] The shelter operator said the pipe distribution was intended as part of a harm-reduction approach meant to prevent disease, similar to clean needle distribution programs.[2]
