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Homelessness is an ever-growing issue in the United States, and both Los Angeles and San Francisco are no exception. But the question remains, which city has it worse? The answer is a bit more complicated than a simple yes or no.
In terms of absolute numbers of homeless people, while Los Angeles has a larger population than San Francisco, it also has a larger homeless population. According to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, there were 58,936 people experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles in 2019, with 37,085 of those being unsheltered. This is compared to San Francisco’s homeless population of 8,011 with 6,218 of those unsheltered.
However, when looking at the numbers of homeless people as a percentage of the overall population, San Francisco comes out ahead. While Los Angeles’ homeless population is 2.6 percent of the overall population, San Francisco’s is 4.3 percent.
This is due in part to Los Angeles’ larger population and the fact that it is spread out over a larger area. San Francisco is a much smaller city, and thus the homeless population is more concentrated, leading to a higher overall percentage.
In terms of homelessness services, San Francisco outranks Los Angeles. San Francisco has over 13,000 shelter beds in comparison to Los Angeles’ 8,000, and San Francisco also has a higher rate of housing placements for the homeless. This is due in part to San Francisco’s higher utilization of federal funds for homeless services.
Ultimately, both Los Angeles and San Francisco have significant homeless populations and both are struggling to address the issue. Los Angeles has a higher absolute number of homeless people, but San Francisco has a higher percentage of homeless per overall population. San Francisco also has more shelter beds and a higher rate of housing placements for the homeless.
Why San Francisco’s Homelessness Crisis Is More Severe Than Los Angeles
Homelessness has been a growing issue in both San Francisco and Los Angeles for some time. While the issue of the homeless is a complex one, it’s clear that the homelessness crisis in San Francisco is more severe than in Los Angeles. Here’s why.
One of the key differences between San Francisco and Los Angeles when it comes to homeless is the amount of public housing available. In San Francisco, according to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, there are only 18 affordable housing units available for every 100 extremely low-income renters. This is a lower rate than almost every other major city in the country. In Los Angeles, on the other hand, there are 44 available units for every 100 extremely low-income renters. This means that in San Francisco, more people are competing for fewer available public housing units, making it harder for people to get off the streets.
Another factor that contributes to the difference in homeless rates between San Francisco and Los Angeles is the cost of living. San Francisco is a famously expensive city, and this makes it more difficult for people with limited incomes to find affordable housing. According to Numbeo, the cost of living in San Francisco is almost 30 percent higher than in Los Angeles. This means that people living on a fixed income are more likely to be priced out of the housing market in San Francisco.
Finally, San Francisco has a higher rate of homelessness than Los Angeles due to its limited supply of available shelter beds. In San Francisco, there are only 1,425 public shelter beds available for the city’s estimated 8,000 homeless people. This means that even if someone was able to find affordable housing, there is a limited amount of shelter beds available to those who are unable to find a place to live. In Los Angeles, on the other hand, there are 5,845 public shelter beds available for its estimated 57,000 homeless people.
The differences between San Francisco and Los Angeles when it comes to the homeless crisis are clear. San Francisco has a much lower availability of affordable housing, a higher cost of living, and a limited number of available shelter beds. These factors make it much harder for people struggling with homelessness to find a way out in San Francisco than in Los Angeles.
Comparing Homelessness Between San Francisco And Los Angeles
Homelessness is a major issue in both Los Angeles and San Francisco, and comparing the two cities can give us a better look at who’s worse off. Using data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, we can see that both cities have a significant homeless population, but the numbers vary. According to the 2019 annual point-in-time count, San Francisco had a total of 8,011 homeless individuals, while Los Angeles had 59,000.
The issue of homelessness is complicated, especially in these two cities. San Francisco has a higher cost of living than Los Angeles, which means those who live in the city are more likely to be pushed into homelessness. Los Angeles, on the other hand, has a larger population, which means there is a greater risk of homelessness.
When looking at the breakdown of homeless individuals, it’s important to note that Los Angeles has a larger percentage of homeless families, at 27%, compared to San Francisco’s 16%. This means that even though San Francisco has a smaller total homeless population, it’s more likely that individuals in the city are struggling with homelessness, rather than entire families.
On the other hand, when comparing the two cities, Los Angeles has a higher percentage of unsheltered individuals, at 78%, compared to San Francisco’s 64%. This indicates that while San Francisco has more homeless people, Los Angeles has a larger percentage of them that are living in an unsheltered situation.
The table below shows a comparison of homelessness in Los Angeles and San Francisco:
| City | Total Homeless | Percent Unsheltered | Percent Homeless Families |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 59,000 | 78% | 27% |
| San Francisco | 8,011 | 64% | 16% |
It’s clear from this data that homelessness is an issue in both Los Angeles and San Francisco. While San Francisco has a smaller overall homeless population, it’s important to remember that the city has a high cost of living, making it difficult for people to stay off the streets. Los Angeles has a larger homeless population and a higher percentage of unsheltered individuals, which means more people are struggling with homelessness.
The rate of homelessness, population size, and available resources vary between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Various organizations in San Francisco and Los Angeles have implemented programs to provide housing, medical care, and job training for those experiencing homelessness.
In 2019, Los Angeles had an estimated 51,000 homeless people, while San Francisco had an estimated 8,000 homeless people.
COVID-19 has worsened the homeless crisis in both San Francisco and Los Angeles, with the number of homeless people rising and resources to help them dwindling.
Contributing factors to homelessness in both San Francisco and Los Angeles include poverty, lack of affordable housing, job loss, and mental illness.
Services offered to homeless people in both San Francisco and Los Angeles include free meals, temporary shelter, and access to mental health resources.
The homelessness crisis in Los Angeles is more severe than that in San Francisco, largely due to the greater size of Los Angeles and its lower population density.
Organizations in both San Francisco and Los Angeles work to reduce homelessness through providing housing, employment, healthcare, and other social services.
Community members in both San Francisco and Los Angeles can provide donations to local shelters, organizations, and charities that work to reduce homelessness.
Long-term solutions to reduce homelessness in both San Francisco and Los Angeles include increasing affordable housing and providing more resources and access to healthcare and education.