The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) has responded to a recent commentary by Louis Abramson, a scientist at the RAND Corporation, regarding the methodology and implications of the upcoming 2025 Homeless Count. In his October 21 commentary, Abramson raised concerns about the potential undercounting of vulnerable populations within the homeless community in Los Angeles County.
LAHSA, which leads the Homeless Count across more than 3,000 census tracts in LA County, emphasizes that its methodology is approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This approval ensures that the count maintains consistency across the nation, which is essential for tracking changes in homelessness over time.
Both the LAHSA and RAND counts indicate a significant trend: homelessness in Los Angeles County is on the decline. While the Homeless Count is a standardized tool utilized for assessing the homeless population, LAHSA stresses that it should not be viewed as the sole resource for understanding the complexities of homelessness.
The authority highlights the importance of its Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), which captures robust and real-time data on individual situations and service needs throughout the year. This continuous data collection supports LAHSA in accurately tracking the needs of the homeless community and adjusting service delivery strategically, even with limited funding.
LAHSA encourages critical analysis of its methods and welcomes opportunities for collaboration. The organization has invited RAND’s experts to participate in future Homeless Counts, similar to the involvement of other groups in the process. Additionally, LAHSA plans to release a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a technical partner to assist with the 2027-2029 counts, further fostering collaboration in addressing homelessness.
Paul Rubenstein, Deputy Chief of External Relations at LAHSA, reinforced the authority’s commitment to utilizing all available data to inform future strategies. He stated, “Collaboration and utilizing all the data we collect are the best paths forward.”
As discussions surrounding the methodology of homeless counts continue, both LAHSA and RAND acknowledge the critical need for accurate data in shaping effective solutions to homelessness in Los Angeles County.
