How the 2028 Games Could Affect the Homeless in LA
- Richard Sykes
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
Los Angeles’ homeless population faces significant disruption as the city prepares for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with new research showing that nearly 6,000 unhoused residents live within one mile of planned Olympic venues — far more than officials previously estimated. 1 2
A Massive Security Footprint
Security planning for the 2028 Olympics is expected to create large “security perimeters” around competition venues. These zones — potentially extending up to one mile — would require clearing streets, sidewalks, and public spaces of encampments.
A new joint study from UCLA and USC estimates 5,975 unsheltered people currently live within those zones. 2
This is more than triple the Los Angeles County Department of Housing and Homelessness’ earlier estimate of 1,600 people. 2
Officials have not finalized the exact boundaries, but the U.S. Secret Service will lead the multi‑agency security effort. Different venues will have different timelines and clearance requirements. 3
Potential Displacement
If security zones are enforced without a coordinated housing plan, thousands of unhoused residents could be forced to relocate.
Researchers warn that displacement without shelter or services “merely hides homelessness” rather than addressing it — shifting people into unfamiliar neighborhoods, away from support networks, and into more dangerous conditions. 3
Previous host cities have often conducted aggressive encampment sweeps or relocations ahead of major events.
Why the Impact Could Be Severe
Los Angeles has one of the largest unsheltered populations in the United States:
44,000+ people live unsheltered across L.A. County. 3
Many Olympic venues are located in areas with high concentrations of homelessness, including Downtown, Exposition Park, and the Westside.
The independent research hub Housing & Olympics: Monitoring for Equity notes that mega‑events historically reshape host cities — determining “where people can sleep, what gets cleared, and which promises are kept.” Their mapping dashboard shows the density of unhoused residents near Olympic sites and highlights the scale of the challenge. 4
Lessons From Past Olympics
Previous host cities have often conducted aggressive encampment sweeps or relocations ahead of major events. Los Angeles researchers are currently preparing reports on how past Olympic cities handled homelessness — and whether those approaches caused long‑term harm. 4
What Officials Have (and Haven’t) Said
Local governments acknowledge the need for a plan, but no detailed strategy has been released.
Key unanswered questions include:
Who will oversee homeless services during the Games?
Will temporary shelters be created?
How will the city avoid criminalizing or hiding homelessness?
What happens to people displaced from their communities?
Advocates argue that without transparent planning, the Olympics risk becoming a “displacement event” for thousands of vulnerable residents.
Bottom Line
The 2028 Olympics will bring global attention, economic activity, and infrastructure investment to Los Angeles — but also unprecedented pressure on public space. With nearly 6,000 unhoused people living near Olympic venues, the Games could dramatically reshape the daily lives of some of the city’s most vulnerable residents.
Whether Los Angeles chooses a humane, housing‑focused approach or repeats the displacement patterns seen in other host cities remains one of the most consequential questions ahead of 2028.
References (4)
1 Nearly 6,000 homeless people in LA could be affected by Olympic venue security plans, report says. https://abc7.com/story/6000-homeless-people-could-affected-security-plans-around-los-angeles-olympic-venues-report-says/19790693/
2 Researchers estimate close to 6,000 unsheltered people live within a mile of Olympic venues - La Vie Zine. https://www.laviezine.com/1631796/researchers-estimate-close-to-6000-unsheltered-people-live-within-a-mile-of-olympic-venues/
3 Nearly 6,000 homeless people could be displaced by the L.A. Olympics, study says - Yahoo News Canada. https://ca.news.yahoo.com/nearly-6-000-homeless-people-100000475.html
4 Housing & Olympics: Monitoring for Equity: Research on housing, homelessness and the Los Angeles 2028 Games. https://home2028.la/
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