US: Homelessness in LA jumps over 20pct in 1 year

The homeless population in Los Angeles County, California went up 23 percent in 2017, quadrupling last year's percentage increase. The fastest growing demographics were young people, Hispanics and military veterans.

An annual report on homelessness was released by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) on Wednesday, showing a sharp rise in the homeless population across nearly every statistical category in Los Angeles County. The total number of people experiencing homelessness on a given night reached 57,794, a 23 percent increase from 2016, according to the report

Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn called the report "shocking."

"Even as work is being done to get thousands of people off the street and into housing, more and more people are becoming homeless. It is clear that if we are going to end the homeless crisis, we need to...