Homelessness
Background
Homelessness affects every area of our City and Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson is focused on serving the most vulnerable members of our community. To combat the homelessness crisis, our City needed to better understand the historical context and factors that led us to this point where thousands of Angelenos are experiencing homelessness. Council District 8 created the Homelessness in South Los Angeles Position Paper to share facts and help develop a citywide strategic plan to ameliorate the multitude of issues causing Angelenos to live on the streets. The first step to preventing homelessness is increasing financial stability and access to career opportunities. The Housing and Community Investment Department (HCIDLA) provides a variety of services for renters and homeowners to prevent evictions and ensure safe and secure living environments. Housing first approaches have proven to be the most effective strategy for helping residents living on the street because they provide immediate supportive housing and end the trauma of homelessness. These facilities also serve as a platform to connect residents to services and improve their quality of life. Los Angeles needs better-integrated services throughout the City and County to ensure people experiencing homelessness have access to the support and resources necessary to get back onto their feet. The City's housing stock needs to grow considerably in all areas, especially for the low and moderate-income levels. We need to expedite construction for shelters and permanent supportive housing as well as new creative solutions to combat this crisis.
Initiatives
My office works closely with the Mayor's Office, Los Angeles County, and nonprofits to coordinate services and strategies that best serve residents experiencing homelessness. Service providers possess a wealth of knowledge regarding the issues and obstacles of housing instability on a day-to-day basis. By strengthening our relationship with them as well as faith-based institutions and non-profits, we aim to provide a smart and cohesive approach to addressing the issues of housing instability that other cities and states can follow.
HHH
Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson authored Proposition HHH in 2016 which allocates $1.2 billion for the City to build tens of thousands of units of supportive housing that include services to address the needs of people experiencing homelessness. Many of these projects have broken ground across Los Angeles and several are underway in our district. All of these supportive developments help build independent living and tenancy skills, provide mental health services, addiction treatment, and employment services. Learn about HHH funded developments in City Council District 8.
Track the progress of all HHH projects and developments in the city of LA
A Bridge Home
People experiencing homelessness can not wait for new supportive housing to become available, but existing shelter beds in Los Angeles do not meet our growing need. Mayor Garcetti's Bridge Home Program gives people experiencing homelessness in every neighborhood a home and support in the community they already know and love. A Bridge Home is a temporary housing facility constructed on city property and connects residents experiencing homelessness to housing and support. The Bridge Home in City Council District 8 provides shelter to 100 residents and is the first in South LA. Learn about our Bridge Home on St. Andrews.
Track the progress of Bridge Home Construction
Everyone In
Every member of our community can help combat the issue of housing instability. Everyone In is a grassroots movement to end housing instability led by volunteers and supported by the United Way. This campaign was designed to pressure government officials at every level to do more. The campaign also helps celebrate new supportive housing and organizes neighbors to advocate for change. Everyone must do their part to ensure that residents who choose to, can come in from the streets and find a home. Join the Coalition to get Everyone In
Track the progress on Supportive housing in your district
Please call our office to report encampments or if you or someone you know is in need of housing assistance resources.
Here are our few organizations in our district that provide services for people experiencing homelessness:
- Mt. Tabor Church
- Mothers and Fathers Who Care
- Sanctuary of Hope
- St. Ephesus Church
- 5 keys
- HOPICS
- SPA6 Coalition
- Testimonial Love Center