The commentary by RAND scientist Louis Abramson regarding the 2025 Homeless Count (“ LAHSA’s Homeless Count Undercounts the Most Vulnerable ,” Oct. 21) raises points worth discussing, and it’s also vital to contextualize the count’s role.

The Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, conducted by LAHSA as the lead for LA’s Continuum of Care, spans over 3,000 census tracts across LA County, and HUD approves its methodology to ensure nationwide consistency. This consistency is key to tracking change over time.

It is significant that both the LAHSA and RAND counts confirm the same vital trend: homelessness in LA County is declining.

While the Homeless Count is a standardized tool, it isn’t the last word. The single most important source for systems planning is the robust, direct service data c

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