As we prepare to embark on another year of transformative trauma-informed trainings for our dedicated staff members at Westside Coalition, we can't help but feel immense pride in the success of our program over the past two years. The unwavering commitment and hard work of our staff, despite the challenges they face daily, have been instrumental in positively impacting the lives of those experiencing homelessness. This upcoming year, we are reminded of the critical role that affordable housing plays in resolving the homelessness crisis. It is evident that successful homeless services start with stable homes, and we must address the pressing shortage of affordable housing units to make a lasting difference in our community.
While we celebrate the progress we've made, we cannot overlook the stark reality that continues to plague our community - the lack of affordable housing. The statistics speak for themselves, and the crisis is undeniable. Los Angeles faces one of the largest homeless populations in the nation, with over 66,000 people experiencing homelessness in 2021. Astonishingly, approximately 75% of them were unsheltered, living in challenging conditions on the streets.
The shortage of affordable housing in Los Angeles County is alarming, with only 22 affordable and available rental homes for every 100 extremely low-income renter households. This dire situation perpetuates the cycle of homelessness and disproportionately affects communities of color, particularly African Americans. It is clear that without affordable housing, we cannot effectively resolve the crisis on our streets.
As an organization committed to empowering our staff and creating meaningful change, we must step up and advocate for the construction of more affordable housing units. Our staff members go above and beyond their duties to support our clients, but without a stable home to go to, the path to lasting change becomes uncertain.
We call upon our community, policymakers, and fellow citizens to join us in advocating for affordable housing solutions. Let's work together to bridge the gap and ensure that everyone has access to a safe and affordable place to call home. By addressing the shortage of affordable housing, we can provide the stability and hope needed to break the cycle of homelessness and uplift our community as a whole.
Together, we can be a catalyst for change and create a future where homelessness is not a reality in our community. Let's build hope, empower our staff, and advocate for affordable housing - because every individual deserves a safe and stable place to call home.
Sources:
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) - "2021 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR)": https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/2021-AHAR-Part-1.pdf
Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) - "2021 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count - Summary": https://www.lahsa.org/documents?id=5104-2021-greater-los-angeles-homeless-count-summary.pdf
National Low-Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) - "The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Homes 2021": https://reports.nlihc.org/gap/2021/CA
While we celebrate the progress we've made, we cannot overlook the stark reality that continues to plague our community - the lack of affordable housing. The statistics speak for themselves, and the crisis is undeniable. Los Angeles faces one of the largest homeless populations in the nation, with over 66,000 people experiencing homelessness in 2021. Astonishingly, approximately 75% of them were unsheltered, living in challenging conditions on the streets.
The shortage of affordable housing in Los Angeles County is alarming, with only 22 affordable and available rental homes for every 100 extremely low-income renter households. This dire situation perpetuates the cycle of homelessness and disproportionately affects communities of color, particularly African Americans. It is clear that without affordable housing, we cannot effectively resolve the crisis on our streets.
As an organization committed to empowering our staff and creating meaningful change, we must step up and advocate for the construction of more affordable housing units. Our staff members go above and beyond their duties to support our clients, but without a stable home to go to, the path to lasting change becomes uncertain.
We call upon our community, policymakers, and fellow citizens to join us in advocating for affordable housing solutions. Let's work together to bridge the gap and ensure that everyone has access to a safe and affordable place to call home. By addressing the shortage of affordable housing, we can provide the stability and hope needed to break the cycle of homelessness and uplift our community as a whole.
Together, we can be a catalyst for change and create a future where homelessness is not a reality in our community. Let's build hope, empower our staff, and advocate for affordable housing - because every individual deserves a safe and stable place to call home.
Sources:
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) - "2021 Annual Homeless Assessment Report (AHAR)": https://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/2021-AHAR-Part-1.pdf
Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) - "2021 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count - Summary": https://www.lahsa.org/documents?id=5104-2021-greater-los-angeles-homeless-count-summary.pdf
National Low-Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) - "The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Homes 2021": https://reports.nlihc.org/gap/2021/CA