For the third consecutive year homelessness is on the rise in the city and county of Los Angeles. On May 2016 the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority reported a total of 46,874 people experiencing homelessness, nightly; 34,527 were unsheltered and forced to live on the streets. This represents an increase of 5.7% from the previous year. The 2017 Annual Homeless Count was recently conducted, and is expected to have increased, based on the lack of affordable housing inventory, the city’s low employment rate, and the depressed economy.

The last citywide homeless count in Long Beach, which was performed in January 2015, found 2,345 homeless individuals, including 255 children. Although Long Beach has seen a small decrease in the number of homeless individuals in recent years, the county has reported an increase in its homeless population, including those living in tents, encampments, under bypasses, and in vehicles.