The City of Malibu’s 2025 Homeless Count Shows a Continued Decline in People Experiencing Homelessness
The 2025 Homeless Count results for Malibu reflect a continued and steady decline in the number of people experiencing homelessness in the community. This ongoing decrease underscores the effectiveness of the City's proactive and sustained approach to addressing homelessness through outreach, enforcement, and housing placement efforts.
"This steady reduction in homelessness is a testament to Malibu's commitment to real solutions that balance public safety and quality of life impacts with effective, compassionate services that are successfully transitioning people into housing,” said Mayor Doug Stewart. "Through strategic partnerships, persistent outreach, and a focus on long-term housing solutions, we are making a meaningful impact. I want to thank our Homeless Outreach Team, law enforcement, community partners and City staff for their dedication and success in addressing homelessness in Malibu."
The preliminary results for the 2025 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count indicate that Malibu's homeless population has dropped to 33 from 69 in 2024. The final number is pending Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) confirmation. This marks the lowest count recorded since the City began tracking in 2016, Malibu’s fourth consecutive year of record-low homeless numbers.
Due to safety concerns and road closures along Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) following the 2025 wildfires this year’s Homeless Count in Malibu was conducted solely by the City's Homeless Outreach Team and representatives from the y LAHSA without community volunteers. Outreach teams surveyed designated areas within City limits, identifying individuals, families, vehicles, tents, and makeshift shelters.
Continued Progress in Housing & Encampment Response
Malibu’s Homeless Outreach Team, operated by The People Concern, continues to help individuals transition out of homelessness through permanent housing, interim placements, and family reunification. In 2024 alone, the City’s Homeless Outreach Team placed 72 individuals into housing, the highest number since services began in 2017.
The City has also maintained its efforts to proactively remove encampments to address public safety concerns and wildfire risk. Working alongside the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Malibu cleared 44 encampments in 2024, up from 29 in 2023.
During Red Flag fire conditions, the City expedites encampment removals to reduce wildfire risk. Since implementing stricter fire prevention measures, the number of fires originating from encampments has remained low, with only seven incidents reported in 2024.
Homelessness Trending Down Thanks to Proactive Approach
Since 2016, Malibu's homeless population has shown a steady decline:
- 2016 – 161
- 2017 – 178
- 2018 – 155
- 2019 – 154
- 2020 – 239
- 2021 – 157* (Unofficial count due to LAHSA cancellation)
- 2022 – 81
- 2023 – 71
- 2024 – 69
- 2025 – 33** (Preliminary data, pending LAHSA data analysis)
In 2023, the City extended its contract with The People of Concern through 2027, ensuring continued outreach and support services to address the impacts of homelessness on the community.
For more information about the City’s efforts to address homelessness, including monthly reports on the City’s homeless outreach activities, visit the webpage.