A new report by the RAND Corporation reveals that the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority’s (LAHSA) annual homeless count captured only 68% of the unsheltered population in three key Los Angeles neighborhoods this year. According to RAND’s findings, the accuracy of LAHSA’s count has declined over the past two years, with a 26% undercount in 2024 widening to 32% in 2025. The report focused on Skid Row, Venice, and Hollywood, areas known for significant homelessness challenges.
The undercount is particularly concerning as it could misdirect crucial funding. The official count influences the allocation of over $300 million in federal and local funds across Los Angeles County, including $220 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and about $96 million from Measure A, a county sales tax supporting homeless services. RAND researchers found that the undercount varied by neighborhood, with Hollywood capturing 81% of the actual numbers, Skid Row 61%, and Venice 76%.
The report also highlights the growing number of “rough sleepers,” individuals living without the protection of a vehicle or tent, who are more challenging to count accurately. Programs like Inside Safe, which remove tent encampments, have increased the proportion of rough sleepers, complicating the count further.
LAHSA Chief Executive Gita O’Neill acknowledged the report and expressed a willingness to collaborate with RAND to improve future counts. The RAND report suggests that using professional field teams to cross-check volunteer counts could enhance accuracy.
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