State of Homelessness:
 Quarterly Update
Welcome to the first State of Homelessness Quarterly Update. Each quarter we'll recap the latest State of Homelessness event and provide updates on what the homeless rehousing system has done to address homelessness across Los Angeles County.

In this issue, we'll recap the State of Homelessness Panel Series discussion on outreach, provide some insights on how many people were permanently housed at the beginning of the year, and much more.
The State of Homelessness: Panel Series
Thank you for joining us on July 12 for our Town Hall meeting, The State of Homelessness: Panel Series. If you weren't able to attend, below are links to the recordings of the event and the presentation given by LAHSA's Executive Director Heidi Marston.
Best Practices for Addressing Street Encampments
Heidi Marston Executive Director at LAHSA gave a presentation about the newly created "Best Practices for Addressing Street Encampments" Guidance.

Use the links below to access the presentation and our blog post to learn more.
Outreach Contacts by Council District
The homeless rehousing system's outreach teams are critical to helping move vulnerable people into shelter and housing. While the ultimate goal of outreach is to bring our unsheltered neighbors inside, the teams begin that journey by building relationships through one-on-one contacts.
 
The map above focuses on the number of Outreach Contacts by Council District recorded in HMIS from January 2021 through mid-June.
Universal Housing Application
The public housing application process has been known to be long and arduous, often taking a month or more to complete. In response, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), Los Angeles County Development Authority, and the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles created the Universal Housing Application (UHA), to modernize the housing application process for people experiencing homelessness, remove barriers from the path towards permanent housing, and to reverse racial disparities in housing access.
 
The UHA consolidates 15 different paper housing applications into one digital application. By using it, LAHSA, HACLA, and LACDA — through Housing Central Command — can shave up to 30 days off the application process that matches people experiencing homelessness with suitable permanent housing across Los Angeles County.
Data Spotlight: Permanent Housing
Raising Awareness:
LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness in America
LA County’s youth homeless population has unique needs and characteristics when compared to the overall homeless population. According to a 2017 study published by Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, there are several key findings about LGBTQ+ youths’ experiences nationwide that can direct policies, systems, and services that they need:
Learn more about this study on our blog post on The Road Home.
Make a Difference. Become a Host Homes Mentor.
We celebrated Pride Month this June and reflected on its history, the need for it, and how far we have come in the acceptance and celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.
 
Unfortunately, Pride does not extend universally. Persistent hate and rejection have their most devastating effect on young people. Family rejection based on sexual orientation and gender identity can cause catastrophic consequences — including homelessness.
 
For young people who have been kicked out, rejected, bullied, and sometimes abused, there is a path to finding home. The Host Homes program provides temporary placement for young people experiencing homelessness, age 18–24, to stay with hosts for up to six months on the path to permanent housing.
Outside Perspective:
Homelessness Scholar Ella Howard
Perspective | Solving homelessness requires getting the...

Last month, Judge David Carter ordered Los Angeles officials to find shelter for all homeless people in downtown L.A. by October 2021. This follows Mayor Eric Garcetti's call for spending $1 billion to address the area's homelessness crisis.

Read more
www.washingtonpost.com
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LAHSA is a joint powers authority of the city and county of Los Angeles, created in 1993 to address homelessness in Los Angeles County. LAHSA is the lead agency in the HUD-funded Los Angeles Continuum of Care, and coordinates and manages over $700 million annually in federal, state, county, and city funds for programs providing shelter, housing, and services to people experiencing homelessness.