The City of Malibu reported an encouraging trend in its battle against homelessness with the latest data showcasing a reduction in the number of individuals living on the streets. According to official figures released by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), the Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count indicates a marginal 0.27% decrease across the county, leaving the total at 75,312 people experiencing homelessness. Service Planning Area (SPA) 5, covering Malibu, saw a 19% decline down to 5,383 individuals.
However, within Malibu's borders, the count rose slightly to 69 individuals up from 51, based on an earlier count this year. Mayor Doug Stewart credited their "proactive, service-driven approach" for the overall decline, highlighting that it is inspiring to see the results, despite a small increase attributed to app coding errors during the count. His statement obtained by Malibu City's official news release also emphasized the collective effort with law enforcement, outreach teams, and the community.
Concrete actions have been part of the City's strategy. A team of 18 volunteers and the City’s Homeless Outreach Team collaborated closely during the January count to accurately canvass the area. These efforts appear to be bearing fruit as the numbers demonstrate a continual decline in Malibu's homeless population since 2016, with a brief spike in 2020. The outreach team has been actively engaged in helping individuals transition off the streets into permanent or interim housing solutions or reuniting them with family.
In addition to housing efforts, Malibu has partnered effectively to remove encampments, with a significant focus on public safety during Red Flag fire conditions. Advanced notices are given to those affected, ensuring a chance to safely move and protect their belongings. The City's diligence in this regard has helped to notably reduce the number of fires caused by such encampments, down from 23 in 2021 to just two in 2023. The active approach to systematically cleaning and monitoring previous encampment sites has helped to maintain these low numbers.
Supporting this sustained progress, Malibu has extended its contract through 2027 with The People Concern, the service provider behind the City's homeless outreach efforts. For those seeking more information on Malibu's methods and partnerships in addressing homelessness, Public Safety Liaison Luis Flores can be contacted, or the City's homelessness webpage visited for additional details.
