In January 2025, a series of devastating wind events and wildfires tore throug Los Angeles County, leaving widespread destruction and loss of life. Unhoused individuals are often overlooked in disaster response, yet they face heightened health risks due to prolonged exposure to hazardous conditions, severe socioeconomic and medical vulnerabilities, and limited access to care. Despite growing recognition of these risks, little is known about how disasters like wildfires specifically affect the unhoused community.
This report provides a snapshot of the immediate effects of the January 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles County on unhoused Angelenos. Drawing on survey data from the Periodic Assessment of Trajectories of Housing, Homelessness, and Health Study (PATHS), we examine how the firestorm disrupted housing and daily life for a representative sample of unhoused respondents. Measuring the scope of exposure and impacts in the immediate aftermath of disaster is critical for strengthening preparedness, shaping disaster-related policy, and guiding resource allocation to better protect this vulnerable population.