Big News: Homelessness Is Down. Here’s What That Means.

Dear Neighbor,

For the second year in a row, unsheltered homelessness is down across Los Angeles County and the City of L.A., beyond the margin of error. This is good news—and it matters. According to the newly released 2025 LAHSA Point-in-Time Count, unsheltered homelessness has declined by 9.5% countywide and 7.9% in the city, signaling real progress in the effort to move people off the streets and into stable housing. This marks the first sustained drop since the count began in 2005.

The good news continues closer to home. A new RAND study shows that homelessness is also declining in Venice, where St. Joseph Center serves as the lead for the Coordinated Entry System (CES). According to LAHSA’s count, on the Westside (SPA 5), homelessness has dropped more than 25% over the past two years, with additional decreases in South LA and Central LA, two other communities where we provide vital services.

Why It Matters at St. Joseph Center:

These results are not accidental—they are the outcome of collective action, compassionate outreach, and intentional, place-based strategies, like encampment resolutions. Together, we are turning the curve.

We extend our deepest thanks to the incredible staff, volunteers, and supporters of St. Joseph Center, as well as our trusted partners at LAHSA, the County of Los Angeles, the City of Los Angeles, and community organizations that share our commitment to human dignity and housing justice. This progress belongs to all of us.

As we celebrate these gains, we must also acknowledge the challenges ahead. Public funding is shrinking, even as need persists. That’s why we believe in a deeper truth: housing first—but not housing only. It takes housing, jobs, and a strong continuum of care to end homelessness in this generation.

That’s why we’re proud to lift up the story of Brian, a graduate of our Bread and Roses Training Kitchen. After 19 years of incarceration, Brian is now rebuilding his life through meaningful work, continued education, and a commitment to giving back. His story reminds us that second chances are real—and transformative.

We hope you’ll read on and be reminded: the work is working. Let’s keep going.

Onward,

Dr. Ryan J. Smith,

President and CEO, St. Joseph Center

Jobs Are Key: How New Chef Brian Beasley Is Rebuilding His Life After Incarceration

by Chef Brian Beasley, Culinary Graduate, Bread and Roses Training Kitchen & Ezra Salkin, Editor, St. Joseph Center

At St. Joseph Center, we believe that jobs are essential to addressing and ending homelessness. That’s why, for thirty years, we've invested in workforce development programs that support people experiencing homelessness.

After serving 19 years in prison, having entered the system as a teenager, Chef Brian is forging a new path. A graduate of our Bread and Roses Training Kitchen, a ten-week training program and internship, Brian was recently appointed as the lead night chef at Dulan’s Soul Food and studies accounting at Glendale College. He also helped prepare and distribute meals for victims of the recent Eaton and Palisades fires through his position. His journey is a powerful testament to the life-changing impact of second chances, meaningful work, and community support.

Read Brian's Journey Here

ST. JOSEPH CENTER HONORED WITH WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AWARD

St. Joseph Center recently received the Los Angeles Regional Consortium Workforce Development Award, presented at Los Angeles Trade-Tech College. This recognition highlights the big community impact of our Careers for a Cause workforce development program, which focuses on training justice-impacted individuals for careers in the social services sector.

A sincere thank you goes to Compton College Adult Education and Workforce Development for this nomination and to our dedicated staff. This award affirms our ongoing commitment to helping LA's most vulnerable thrive through education and meaningful employment.

FROM CODE TO CLARITY: ST. JOSEPH CENTER CELEBRATES NEW CODETALK GRADUATES

We extend a big congratulations to our newest graduates of St. Joseph Center's CodeTalk program! These women are leaving with more than new coding and technology career opportunities. They are stepping forward with a renewed sense of clarity and well-being. CodeTalk's mindful approach helps women with lived experiences find transformation, supported by daily meditations, soothing music, and a dedicated team.

As keynote speaker and CodeTalk valedictorian, Amanda Talbert shared, "Community made the difference. We rose because we were surrounded by people who held us up."

For more information and how to apply, click here.

NEW STUDY: HOMELESSNESS DOWN IN HOLLYWOOD AND VENICE

A new Rand report, highlighted by the LA Times, shows promising reductions in encampments in areas like Venice. While this is positive news, the report also underscores the ongoing and evolving needs of individuals experiencing homelessness without traditional shelter.

As a leading provider of supportive services in Venice and the Westside, St. Joseph Center is committed to helping our neighbors find housing and addressing critical community needs. Read More

About St. Joseph Center

For nearly 50 years, St. Joseph Center has empowered working-poor families and people experiencing homelessness to achieve stability and self-sufficiency. As a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, we provide vital resources and tools through Housing, Outreach, Mental Health, and Education/Workforce Development programs, reaching nearly 15,000 people annually. To learn more about St. Joseph Center’s comprehensive services and ways to donate, visit https://stjosephctr.org.

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