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 (2025), as of the last count there were nearly 1,000 people experiencing homelessness in interim housing and more than 660 people experiencing unsheltered homelessness in UAs throughout LA County. With more than 120 UAs across the County, the circumstances and conditions for people experiencing homelessness in these areas — and the impacts on the surrounding communities — vary by region.
In the UAs, the County government and the Board of Supervisors 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 Department of Homeless Services and Housing, which coordinates homeless services, outreach, and operations with each Board office.
Under Measure A, the UAs receive specific resource allocations. Funds have been set aside both in the County’s comprehensive homelessness budget, which is administered by HSH and the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Agency (LACAHSA).
To review information about encampment operations in the UAs and Flood Control Districts, please visit this page.
