Housing

How Much Would It Cost to End Homelessness in California for Good?

About $8 billion per year, according to a new housing needs assessment — or less than 3% of the state budget.

Homelessness in Los Angeles has reached “emergency” levels, according to incoming Mayor Karen Bass. 

Photographer: Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

Can you put a price tag on fixing homelessness in California?

Researchers from two nonprofits — the Corporation for Supportive Housing and California Housing Partnership — have tried to do just that, tallying up the costs for finding housing for every person in the state who needs it.