Homeless numbers drop countywide

The number of homeless people living in Los Angeles County on a given night has dropped significantly in the last two years, but more people are concentrated in downtown Los Angeles’ skid row, according to a survey by a city-county agency.

Countywide, the number of homeless dropped from 88,000 in 2005 to 74,000 this year, according to a federally required biennial report of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. The 5,100 people sleeping on skid row represent a 40% jump from 2005.

“It still indicates a tremendous amount needs to be done,” said Orlando Ward, spokesman for the Midnight Mission on skid row.

More than 1,000 volunteers canvassed the county between 10 p.m. and 1 a.m. on Jan. 23, 24 and 25 to collect statistical data, conduct telephone surveys and gather information from shelters and other institutions.

More than half of homeless people across the region are in the city of Los Angeles. While the homeless populations in central Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley have grown, the rest of the county has fewer homeless people, the survey found.

Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky questioned the reliability of the numbers but said the report at least provides some comparisons among different regions and groups.

Due in large part to a shortage of emergency shelter and affordable housing options, the vast majority of people without homes end up sleeping on the streets; just 17% found beds in shelters or other housing. Large numbers of homeless people reported trying unsuccessfully to enter a shelter or housing program, according to the report. Job loss, eviction, family conflicts and alcohol or drug problems were the most common causes of homelessness.

The report found more than 50% of the county’s homeless are African Americans, nearly 24% are Latinos and roughly 12% are military veterans. And the large majority have mental problems, are disabled or are substance abusers.

The report can be found at www.lahsa.org.

 susannah.rosenblatt@latimes.com