UCLA-USC Report Warns of Olympic Homeless Displacement

Researchers project that security measures for the 2028 Olympics could displace nearly 6,000 homeless individuals in Los Angeles.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Olympics

Bold flat-color editorial illustration featuring a solitary streetlamp casting a pool of light on an empty, dark urban sidewalk. — A joint UCLA-USC report projects that 2028 Olympic security perimeters could displace nearly 6,000 homeless individuals across Los Angeles. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should the city prioritize hosting large international events over the stability of local unhoused populations?

A joint report from UCLA and USC indicates that security perimeters for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games could displace roughly 6,000 people experiencing homelessness across Los Angeles. These findings suggest the one-mile zones surrounding venues may intensify pressure to clear encampments from public view.

Why it matters

Security perimeters establish restricted areas monitored by federal agents, creating a tension between Games-related site safety and the citys ongoing effort to support its unhoused population. The report highlights that these measures could disproportionately impact vulnerable residents near high-profile venue sites.

The study estimates 6,000 individuals could be displaced, including up to 150 people specifically within the Westwood Village area. These projections cover impact zones within a one-mile radius of planned security perimeters.

The players

Karen Bass

She serves as the Mayor of Los Angeles and has overseen an 11% decrease in street homelessness.

UCLA

This university serves as a partner in the homelessness study and is a designated site for the 2028 Olympic Village.

USC

The institution co-authored the report and serves as a site for the 2028 Olympic Media Village.

The details

The report, titled Periodic Assessment of Trajectories of Housing, Homelessness and Health Study, suggests that the creation of federal security zones forces a need for expanded permanent housing access. Researchers emphasize that these displacement estimates currently exclude the cities of Glendale, Long Beach, and Pasadena.

Researchers plan to distribute surveys regarding Olympic concerns during winter 2026.
The 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games are scheduled to take place in July 2028.

Season Trajectory

This study shifts the narrative of the 2028 Olympic preparations by highlighting potential social costs alongside infrastructural planning. It forces a conversation on how the city balances hosting global athletic events with its long-term goals for housing stability.

The report advocates for the city to improve transfer processes from encampments to mitigate the projected displacement of 6,000 people. Residents in areas like Westwood Village may see increased federal presence and changes to site access as security protocols for the venues are finalized.

The takeaway

The study suggests that addressing homelessness should be integrated into security planning to avoid mass displacement. Implementation of the recommended housing and transfer protocols will be crucial as the city approaches the 2028 event.