New poll shows homelessness has become an inescapable part of life in LA

A new survey reveals nearly universal agreement among Los Angeles County residents that homelessness in the region is a problem. And nearly 10% of respondents reported having experienced homelessness themselves.

The details

USC researchers published new results from the L.A. Barometer survey on Thursday. Some of their findings include:

  • 93% of Angelenos said homelessness is a problem in L.A.
  • 63% said they see people experiencing homelessness on a daily basis
  • 9% said they’ve experienced homelessness themselves, a number that rises to 21% for L.A.’s Black residents
  • Nearly one-in-four Angelenos (23%) said they’ve experienced some form of housing instability as an adult, including everything from couch-surfing with friends or family to staying in motels, vehicles or tents on the street

About the methodology

The results were based on a survey of about 1,500 L.A. County residents that took place between late June and mid-October.

What people think is causing the crisis

Respondents were most likely to point to mental illness (85%) and addiction (84%) as the top factors driving L.A.’s high homelessness numbers .

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