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(Malibu, CA) — The City of Malibu’s successful, long-standing approach to addressing homelessness is reflected in the results of the 2026 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, which show 44 people experiencing homelessness in the City, continuing a multi-year downward trend.
Preliminary data from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), which operates the Count, shows 44 people experiencing homelessness in Malibu in 2026, including 33 individuals and 11 vehicles (cars, vans, and RVs).
“While even one person experiencing homelessness is too many, Malibu’s continued decline shows that the City’s proactive approach focusing on outreach, housing placement, and coordinated encampment response, works,” said Mayor Marianne Riggins. “This progress is the result of years of consistent effort, strong partnerships, and a shared commitment to helping people exit homelessness while protecting public safety and our environment. I want to thank our outreach workers, law enforcement partners, City staff, and community volunteers for their dedication and compassion.”
The City’s Homeless Outreach Team and community volunteers participated in the Count, coordinated by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), to survey census-designated areas within City limits, identifying individuals, families, vehicles, tents, and makeshift shelters.
The decline is attributed to the City’s Homeless Outreach Team’s continued success in placing people into housing and to coordinated encampment response efforts led by City staff in partnership with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, Los Angeles County Beaches & Harbors, and California State Parks. Since beginning work in Malibu in 2017, the Homeless Outreach Team has helped people experiencing homelessness transition into permanent or interim housing or reunite with family. Housing placements include 46 in 2025, 72 in 2024, 51 in 2023, 67 in 2022, and 22 in 2021.
Long-Term Decline in Homelessness
The City began tracking homelessness data in 2016, and since 2020 Malibu’s homeless population has steadily declined:
2016 – 161
2017 – 178
2018 – 155
2019 – 154
2020 – 239
2021 – 157*
2022 – 81
2023 – 71
2024 – 69
2025 – 46 (21 individuals, 25 dwellings and vehicles)
2026 – 44**
* LAHSA Count was cancelled; an informal count was conducted in Malibu.
** Preliminary data; final numbers pending LAHSA confirmation.
Encampment Response and Outreach
The City continues to work proactively with the Homeless Outreach Team and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department to identify and remove encampments within City limits. In partnership with County, State, law enforcement, and outreach agencies, the City cleared 44 encampments in 2025, 44 in 2024, 29 in 2023, 41 in 2022, and 58 in 2021.
People living in encampments are provided advance notice, offered outreach services and shelter or housing options, and supported through the transition. Environmental cleanup is conducted as needed, and sites are revisited to prevent re-establishment.
The City began contracting with The People Concern for homeless outreach services in 2017 and expanded services in 2020 to include a housing navigator. Malibu recently extended its contract with The People Concern through 2027, ensuring continued outreach and housing placement support.
For more information about the City’s efforts to address homelessness, contact Senior Management Analyst Luis Flores at lflores@malibucity.org or 310-456-2489, ext. 236, or visit the City’s webpage at www.malibucity.org/Homelessness.
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