The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are fast approaching, and with them come significant challenges, particularly regarding the city’s unhoused population. A recent study by researchers at USC and UCLA has shed light on a pressing issue: nearly 6,000 unsheltered individuals live within a mile of the proposed Olympic and Paralympic venues. This figure is more than three times the initial estimate provided by the L.A. County Department of Housing and Homelessness, highlighting a substantial gap in understanding the scope of the problem.
The study, published on the Home 2028 website, aims to bring attention to the potential impact of the Olympics on Los Angeles’ unhoused community. The researchers used data from the 2026 point-in-time homeless count, adjusting for potential overlaps with security perimeters and considering walkable streets and major roadways near each venue. Their findings suggest that the number of affected individuals could be significantly higher than previously thought, with around 2,200 living within a half-mile radius of the venues.
The Discrepancy in Estimates
The L.A. County Department of Housing and Homelessness had initially estimated that around 1,600 unsheltered people could be affected by the Olympics security zones. This figure was used to apply for $93 million in state funding to address homelessness ahead of the Games. However, the academic study’s higher estimate has raised questions about the accuracy of the county’s initial assessment.
Carter Hewgley, the department’s chief strategy officer, acknowledged the discrepancy and stated that his office is reviewing the methodology used by the researchers. He emphasized that the county’s application for funding was designed to address needs beyond the initial 1,600 count, with plans to provide services for more than 4,000 unhoused people in the county. However, it remains unclear whether the county will receive the requested funding.
Concerns About Security and Relocation
As the Olympics approach, local officials are grappling with how to address the homelessness crisis in areas where security perimeters will be established. The Secret Service will set these boundaries, which could restrict access to competition spaces and potentially force unhoused individuals to relocate. The researchers behind the Home 2028 study express concern that people may simply be pushed out of Olympic zones into other neighborhoods, rather than being connected to housing or services.
Benjamin Henwood, a USC professor and director of the university’s Homelessness Policy Research Institute, warned that there might be a risk of brute force criminalization if adequate measures are not taken. He pointed to previous research on the negative effects of encampment sweeps, emphasizing the importance of relevant and informed conversations about the issue.
The Path Forward
Local officials have stated their intention to prioritize offering shelter to people living near Olympic venues. This approach aligns with Mayor Karen Bass’s broader housing-first strategy, which focuses on providing interim housing solutions rather than resorting to forced busing or sweep-and-clear tactics. However, the gap between stated intentions and enforced reality remains a concern for advocates and researchers alike.
The financial and political stakes of Olympic preparation are already playing out at Los Angeles City Hall. Earlier this year, the City Council approved the Enhanced City Resources Master Agreement with LA28, covering municipal service reimbursements. The deal was finalized nearly ten months behind schedule amid disputes over security and public safety cost controls. Dissenting council members warned that city taxpayers remain the financial backstop if cost overruns exceed the combined city and state contingency funds.
As the countdown to the 2028 Olympics continues, the intersection of the Games and Los Angeles’ homelessness crisis presents a complex challenge. The city must balance the need for secure Olympic venues with the urgent requirement to provide housing and support for its unhoused population. The findings of the Home 2028 study serve as a crucial reminder of the scale of the task ahead and the importance of informed, compassionate decision-making.
