Seniors Make Up a Growing Share of Los Angeles’ Homeless Population

Published by Westside Current

by Rachael Gaudiosi

LOS ANGELES —Jane Jefferies, born and raised on the Westside, became unhoused for the first time this February. Now in her 60s and relying on Social Security, Jefferies says her benefits only cover the costs of living in her vehicle.

Unable to find work willing to hire a senior, she sells buttons on the Venice Boardwalk each weekend to make extra money. Her combined income totals about $2,000 a month — an amount she says is impossible to stretch far enough to cover both her basic needs and rent.

Though she applied for affordable senior housing through the city, she remains on what feels like a never-ending waitlist.

While the overall unhoused population in Los Angeles has declined by about 4% this year, advocates are raising alarms about one steadily increasing group — seniors. Since 2023, the number of unhoused individuals aged 65 and older has risen by more than 35%, including nearly an 18% increase since last year alone. 

“Sometimes I just sit and pray that a celebrity or philanthropist will scoop me up off the boardwalk and into a bed somewhere,” Jefferies said. “I have more hope of that happening than the city I’ve paid taxes to for decades finally deciding to help.”

While awaiting housing assistance, Jefferies lives in her car and spends her days making buttons to sell and eating meals at Jewish Family Service LA’s Felicia Mahood Multipurpose Center alongside others in her community.

Eli Veitzer, CEO of Jewish Family Service LA (JFSLA), said Jefferies’s situation is far from unique. As housing costs rise and incomes fall, more seniors face homelessness.

“Many seniors have saved for retirement, but the rising cost of living has drained those funds faster than expected,” Veitzer said. “Combined with difficulties finding additional income, more seniors than ever are turning to us for help.”

Yet, Veitzer said funding has not kept pace with the growing need. Last year, JFSLA had to close three of its sixteen locations and cap services at others.

“We just found out our funding for the new fiscal year, and it’s devastating. We’re going to have to cut back even further,” Veitzer said. “The message is loud and clear from the city that, with the consolidation of the aging department this year, older adults are not a priority.”

City officials maintain the reorganization was designed to improve access to support services. According to the communications office for Mayor Karen Bass, the Department of Aging was consolidated into the Economic and Workforce Development Department to enhance services for older Angelenos, including those at risk of homelessness, and to streamline access across city departments.

“This will save at least $5 million in direct salary costs but, more importantly, will result in better outcomes and more effective services — services that can leverage and connect to each other — for the people who rely on these departments today,” said Deputy Mayor Matt Hale during this year’s budget committee. “We believe this strikes the right balance and will benefit Los Angeles youth, families, older adults, and local businesses by creating a one-stop shop for services for the whole family.”

Still, many seniors and nonprofits fear that as living costs continue to rise, older adults will once again slip through the cracks.

“The current system is not designed to catch people in these precarious situations as they age,” Veitzer said. “The result is and will be an increasing number of one of our most vulnerable populations living on the street.”

Data from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority supports that concern. In 2025, approximately 4,680 people aged 65 and older were experiencing homelessness in the City of Los Angeles—up from 3,427 in 2023. Countywide, roughly 25% of the homeless population is now age 55 or older.

The mortality risk is rising, too. Between 2014 and 2023, more than 3,000 unhoused seniors aged 60 and above died on the streets of Los Angeles. Many had never been homeless before turning 50. Advocacy groups warn that without targeted intervention, even more lives will be lost.

“We are watching people who worked their entire lives, paid into systems, raised families here, and aged here, now being pushed into their cars or onto the sidewalk,” Veitzer said. “It’s an avoidable crisis—but only if the city decides to act.”