In what might be considered a modest stride in tackling homelessness, Santa Monica's latest Point-in-Time Count data, released by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), shows an uptick of unhoused individuals moving into shelters. The number rose to 202 sheltered residents in 2025 from 173 the previous year, while those remaining unsheltered dropped slightly to 475, down by four, as reported by the City of Santa Monica's official website.
These numbers, albeit with a modest reduction in street dwelling, are indicative of the city's targeted efforts to shift its homeless population towards more stable living arrangements. The increase in sheltered individuals is partially credited to the city's partnership with an encampment resolution program dubbed Pathway Home, which recently added 25 transitional shelter beds to Santa Monica's offerings. Tents and makeshift shelters, however, saw a decrease, with 20 tents and 31 makeshift shelters counted, a small decrease from last year's figures, according to the official press release.
Additionally, Santa Monica's Project Homecoming, a program aimed at reconnecting homeless individuals with their families and communities, has been a beacon of success, having reunited over 3,200 people since its inception in 2006. Despite the positive turns in sheltered housing, an increase was noted in the number of people living in cars and RVs, which points to the continuing challenges that the city faces in its homelessness crisis.
Overall, LAHSA reported a 21 percent decrease in homelessness across Service Planning Area 5 since 2023, which includes not only Santa Monica but also affluent areas like Beverly Hills and Brentwood. "Seeing an increase of unhoused individuals moving indoors reflects the progress of our efforts," Heather Averick, Director of Housing and Human Services, remarked in the city's statement. Santa Monica remains committed to its Homelessness Strategic Plan, aiming to finely tune its programs and policies as it progresses into the future.
In the regional context, such data underscores the necessity for a multifaceted approach to homelessness. Santa Monica's efforts seem to be bearing fruit, with an overall total of 812 people living in homelessness in the city, compared to 774 tallied in 2024. For more details about the Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count and the city’s measures to tackle homelessness, interested readers are directed to the links provided in the city's press release.
