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The homelessness crisis in Los Angeles took a deadly turn in 2022, as the number of homeless individuals murdered across the city climbed to 92 - a shocking 60% increase from 2020.
The grim tally amounts to nearly a quarter of all 382 homicides recorded in LA last year, even though the unhoused make up only about 1% of the population. Experts say the violence stems from increased gang activity, disputes between homeless people, and bias against those living on the streets.
“A friend of mine was thrown into a fire by a fellow homeless man,” said Rev. Andy Bales of the Union Rescue Mission in Skid Row. “It burnt off 95% of his body.”
The downtown Skid Row area sees more murders of homeless people than any other neighborhood. There were 14 homicides there last year and 39 over the past three years, according to LAPD data. Boyle Heights ranked second highest in 2022 with five murders, followed by Westlake with four.
The violence adds yet another layer of suffering to LA’s sprawling homelessness problem. Accidental drug overdoses, including from fentanyl, have been the main cause of deaths on the streets in recent years, with more than 1,600 homeless individuals dying countywide in 2021 alone.
Gang violence accounted for 32 of last year’s homeless murders in LA. Victims were overwhelmingly male, mirroring homicide trends among the general population. A gun was used in 67% of the cases.
“The homeless can be targeted over disputes, including drug debts they can’t pay,” said Bales.
Advocates say the unhoused feel abandoned by police in places like Skid Row, making it difficult to respond to attacks by other homeless individuals. They want to see more attention on long-term solutions like housing and drug treatment instead of encampment sweeps.
“Arresting homeless people over and over doesn’t work,” said Rafael Roman of the nonprofit ShelterStrong. “We need to address why they’re on the streets.”
New LA mayor Karen Bass has called homelessness a top priority, partnering with county officials to increase emergency shelter space and temporary housing. The city’s Inside Safe program aims to transition people from sidewalk encampments into more stable living situations.
“Although just two months old, Inside Safe already seems to be having an effect,” said LAPD Homelessness Commander Billy Brockway Jr. He said homeless-related crime reports are significantly down from previous years.
But the crisis persists across the region. Nearby Orange County in 2022 saw its homeless population spike 43% over two years ago, one of the largest increases nationwide. And cities like San Francisco and Portland are also grappling with more homeless deaths.
For Rev. Bales, the only acceptable number of people living and dying on the streets is zero. “Leaving the homeless like this is not an option,” he said. “We need a place for people to recover and get their lives back.”
As LA leaders pledge more resources, homicide totals serve as a sobering reminder of the human toll of homelessness. The 92 homeless individuals killed in 2022 left behind grieving loved ones and communities struggling to protect their most vulnerable. Each death represents a system that let them down.
Advocates say a range of long-term solutions is needed. But the first priority remains clear: getting people off the streets and out of harm’s way.
