The results of the 2018 Los Angeles County Homeless Count were released Thursday, showing a 3 percent reduction in the county’s homeless population after the passage of Measure H last year.

The Homeless Count showed about 53,000 homeless individuals, after volunteers crossed L.A County in January, counting the number of homeless people living in the county to properly allocate Measure H funds and other county resources.

The 2018 count marks the first decline in the countywide homeless population in four years.

“For the first time in four years, the number of people experiencing homelessness showed no increase,” said County Supervisor Sheila Kuehl. “Slowly, but steadily, our plan to address homelessness is starting to make an impact.”

County officials attribute the overall reduction in the homeless population to a pair of ballot initiatives aimed at providing services and housing, Proposition HHH and Measure H.

In 2017, Los Angeles County voters passed Measure H, to fund homeless services after supervisors and other social work agencies began to note a countywide crisis.

See Related: Bridge To Home Using Measure H Funds For Affordable Housing Program

The measure set to generate about $3.5 billion for homeless programs over 10 years and raise the sales tax from 8.75 percent to 9 percent, according to county officials.

Proposition HHH, passed by voters in the City of Los Angeles, was designed to add more affordable housing in the Southland.

The homeless count revealed the highest housing placement in history, with over 16,000 people placed into homes — a 50 percent jump from just two years ago.

Veteran homelessness also decreased, the Homeless Count cited a 24 percent reduction in the size of the population segment in L.A. County.

But the result are not all positive. First-time homelessness rose slightly in the count. Around 46 percent of the 9,322 people experiencing homelessness for the first time this year said it was due to a loss of employment or other financial reasons. 30 percent reported a serious mental illness and 17 percent a substance abuse disorder, with 10 percent reporting both.

The most significant demographic change was a 22 percent increase in the number of people age 62 and older who were experiencing homelessness.

See Related: Los Angeles County Faces Homeless Housing Shortage, Despite Increased Funding

The homeless population also remains largely on the streets around the county. According to the count, three out of four people remain unsheltered, meaning they are not sleeping in a homeless shelter.

Specific Homeless Count numbers for District 5, which encompases the Santa Clarita Valley, are not available at the time of this publication, according to county officials.

“This year’s Homeless Count shows us that we have made headway and are on the right track, though serious challenges remain,” said Kuehl. “We simply do not have enough affordable housing, and the county’s high rents, stagnating wages, and high poverty rate will continue to drive people out of their homes.”

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.