Homelessness and Support for Expanded Services: Los Angeles Residents' Perceptions of Public Safety in Their Neighbourhoods

Vollständiger Abstract

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ABSTRACT Homelessness in U.S. cities is a pressing civic issue, shaping residents' sense of safety and local policy debates. This study examines Los Angeles residents' perceptions of safety, their proximity to encampments, and attitudes towards mental health and substance use services. Using representative survey data from 4408 residents, we assess (1) support for welfare‐oriented services and their relationship to proximity to homelessness, and (2) how encounters with unhoused individuals shape feelings of safety. Findings show that residents closer to homelessness report more urgent support for mental health and substance abuse services, reflecting a shift towards decriminalization and public health approaches. By contrast, support for affordable housing remains polarized, with higher‐income and older residents more resistant. In a political climate favouring criminalization (Grants Pass v. Johnson), these results highlight the urgency of aligning policy with community‐driven, equitable solutions.