Unincorporated Areas

Unincorporated Areas (UAs) are those communities that are outside the jurisdiction of incorporated cities. Over 65% of L.A. County’s 4,000-square mile land area is unincorporated, and 1 million of the County’s 10 million residents reside in these communities. Addressing and preventing homelessness in the UAs is an integral part of the County’s homelessness efforts, and a high priority for the Board of Supervisors. 

Like most areas of Los Angeles County, communities in UAs are facing a housing and homelessness crisis. According to the most recently available point-in-time homeless count data (2024), as of the last count there were nearly 930 people experiencing homelessness (PEH) in shelters in UAs, more than 630 unsheltered PEH, and nearly 3,700 total dwellings identified as in use by PEH in the UAs throughout the County. With more than 120 different communities in the County’s UAs, there is a wide diversity of circumstances under which PEH are living in these areas – and the impacts of the homelessness and housing crisis for the communities as a whole varies by region.  

In the UAs, the County government and the Board of Supervisors (Board) serves as “City” and “City Council” with each Supervisor representing an area acting as “Mayor” for the community in their Supervisorial District.  With this responsibility in mind, the Board recently adopted motions that will help to ensure that the UAs receive the resources and support needed to address and prevent homelessness in their communities.  

On December 3, 2024, the Board adopted a motion directing the County’s Chief Executive Officer to create an unincorporated team within the Homeless Initiative that will only focus on addressing homelessness and housing insecurity within the unincorporated communities of Los Angeles County.  On April 1, 2025, the Board adopted a motion to establish an office of unincorporated services as a stand-alone division/bureau of the (soon-to-be established) New County Department on Homelessness that will coordinate homeless services, outreach, and operations in coordination with each Board office. 

In addition to dedicated staffing, under Measure A, the UAs have been allocated resources meant to be specifically used in unincorporated communities. Funds have been set aside both in the County’s comprehensive homelessness budget, which will be administered by the new County homelessness department, and in the funding that will be administered by the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Agency (LACAHSA). The new division/bureau currently being stood up to focus on preventing and addressing homelessness in the UAs will work closely with Board Offices and community members to identify the most impactful uses of these funds. More information will be posted here as further plans are developed. To review information about encampment operations in the UAs and Flood Control Districts, please visit this page.