Veteran homelessness in LA County continues decline
A homeless man sits beside his belongings in Los Angeles on February 18, 2025. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP via Getty Images)
Veteran homelessness continues to decline across Los Angeles County, according to newly released data from the Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (MVA), the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA).
An estimated 3,050 veterans are experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles, a 10% decrease from 2024 and part of a steady downward trend driven by the County’s coordinated One Team model. More than 1,500 of those veterans are connected to coordinated support through the County’s Veteran By-Name List (BNL) as of October 17, 2025, with over 50% sheltered or housed.
The estimates draw from the 2025 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, an annual assessment of homelessness across the region, supplemented by data from One Team and the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System (VAGLAHS) to maintain alignment and accuracy among partner agencies.
“When the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced that they were looking at Los Angeles for ground zero for future innovation around ending homelessness, we (Los Angeles County) knew we had to answer the call knowing it takes all levels of government and our community-based organizations to end veteran homelessness,” said Jim Zenner, director of MVA. “The entire continuum of care has rallied around the exceptional leadership of the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System as part of our collective One Team approach.”
The 2025 Count reflects sustained progress over the past three years, mirroring a broader regional trend, with unsheltered homelessness countywide dropping 9.5% and the City of Los Angeles reporting its second consecutive year of decline.
“This substantial reduction in homelessness among veterans in Los Angeles is a testament to what’s possible when dedicated housing resources, strong collaboration, and proven strategies come together to help veterans regain long-term housing stability,” said Sarah Mahin, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Homeless Services and Housing. “Anyone who thinks we can’t make a dent in homelessness in Los Angeles should look no further than the decline in veteran homelessness over the past decade as thousands of people who served their country have finally gotten the housing they deserve.”
The County’s recently established Department of Homeless Services and Housing (HSH) plays a key role in aligning housing and homelessness initiatives across county agencies, ensuring coordination, data sharing, and accountability in achieving sustained reductions in homelessness.
“I’m encouraged by this continued decrease in veteran homelessness since it reflects the focused attention our County is putting on reducing homelessness for this important population,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger, Fifth District. “The One Team initiative exemplifies the kind of person-centered coordination that leads to results. Tools like the By-Name List help us treat veterans as individuals and not statistics, ensuring no one slips through the cracks. Our County’s Department of Military and Veterans Affairs will continue to drive outreach, build connections, and sustain the relationships that make this progress possible.”
These outcomes reflect sustained investment by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, which has locally funded homeless services for veterans and strengthened MVA’s role as both a partner and leader in advancing solutions. By supporting data-driven coordination through the One Team model, the Board has empowered MVA to help drive progress across the region.
“The decrease in veterans experiencing homelessness is a significant milestone for Los Angeles County and highlights the success of dedicated coordination between our Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, the County’s partners, and service providers to meet the needs of those who have selflessly sacrificed for our country,” said Chair Pro Tem and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. “While we still have much work to do, this sustained progress allows us to better understand the landscape of veteran homelessness and strategically direct resources to ensure every veteran has access to housing, health care, and stability they deserve.”
Data Highlights
3,050 veterans experiencing homelessness (95% confidence interval 2,141–3,959), down from 3,410 in 2024, according to the 2025 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count: County Data Summary (October 2025 revision).
1,537 veterans actively tracked on the County’s By-Name List (BNL) as of September 2025, according to MVA’s One Team Data and Performance Report for the third quarter of 2025.
93% of veterans on the BNL assigned to a housing provider with a permanent housing plan, according to the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System’s One Team Performance Dashboard (2025).
5% recidivism rate, below the national 5% benchmark for returns to homelessness, according to MVA’s 2025 One Team Report.
1,197 permanent housing placements achieved through HUD-VASH, Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF), and other programs between October 2024 and July 2025, according to the One Team Data and Performance Subcommittee (2025).
The One Team initiative is a partnership among MVA, VAGLAHS, LAHSA, and community-based organizations. The model coordinates outreach, housing, and supportive services so that veterans receive sustained assistance throughout their housing journey.
“The decline in veterans experiencing homelessness shows the power of multiple agencies working together toward a shared goal. Every veteran deserves stable housing. While I’m encouraged by these numbers heading in the right direction, we must urgently build on what’s working to end chronic homelessness and prevent veterans from becoming homeless in the first place,” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Second District.
The progress reflects the results of cross-sector collaboration that includes county departments, federal agencies, and nonprofit service providers working in alignment. By combining real-time data, coordinated outreach, and integrated case management, the One Team model ensures that no veteran is left behind.
“Los Angeles County is moving faster to end veteran homelessness because no veteran should be unhoused in the country they served with valor. Through our new Department of Homeless Services and Housing, we’re building a system that moves with urgency to provide the dignity, care, and housing our veterans deserve,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, Third District.
Over the past year, veteran housing placements have exceeded targets by 15%, and unsheltered veteran homelessness has declined for the second year in a row. Success is credited to a unified approach combining outreach, data integration, and partnerships across multiple agencies.
“It’s shameful that any veteran ends up on the street. Our goal isn’t just to reduce veteran homelessness — it’s to end it in L.A. County. With projects like the Louis Dominguez Veterans Center in San Pedro and new veterans’ apartments in Huntington Park, we’re making real progress and getting veterans the housing and support they deserve,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn, Fourth District.