Homelessness is not a new issue in Los Angeles, but it has been in the news lately ever since Los Angeles elected officials recently declared it a state of emergency. The statistics of how many homeless individuals on the streets of Los Angeles on any given night are astonishing as the city tops the nation in the number of homeless people. With homelessness being at the forefront, it has encouraged an open dialogue to explore solutions to address this problem, and has increased efforts from Los Angeles elected officials, Neighborhood Councils, and community activists.

  • On Tuesday, February 9, 2016, the Los Angeles City Council approved its Comprehensive Homelessness Strategy, with Council File 15-1138-S1 titled “Serving and Housing LA’s Homeless”. Neighborhood Councils that submitted Community Impact Statements on this Council File include Los Feliz Neighborhood Council, Winnetka Neighborhood Council, and Greater Valley Glen Neighborhood Council.
  • Council File 15-0675 titled “Youth Homelessness/Policies, Funding and Services” was introduced on June 2, 2015 and is pending in the Homelessness and Poverty Committee. It’s worth noting that many foster care youth age out of the foster care system and are forced to fend for themselves by going to shelters. Some avoid shelters all together and “couch-surf” or “crash” with friends. Many of these individuals reject the title of “homeless” making it difficult for agencies like the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD) to identify them and provide resources.
  • Coastal San Pedro Neighborhood Council recently hosted a forum to discuss homelessness in the harbor area with the support of the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council, the Los Angeles County’s San Pedro Mental Health Center and the South Bay Coalition to End Homelessness. For more details read their article in their newsletter, Coastal Currents.
  • Led by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, the Annual Homeless Count was held with the participation of many Angelenos, including several Neighborhood Councils, and the data collected will aid decision-makers in advocating for resources and developing research-based policies and programs that aim to help homeless individuals and families.

Neighborhood Councils can engage with this and many other important matters before the City Council by filing Community Impact Statements. Neighborhood Councils can also visit the Los Angeles City Clerk’s website to review other council files that may interest them. To learn more about Community Impact Statements please click on this link: Community Impact Statements: A How-To Guide. Thank you for all you do to EmpowerLA!

Danielle Merriweather, a graduate student at Pepperdine University School of Public Policy specializing in State and Local Policy and American Politics, contributed to this story. She is working closely with EmpowerLA to inform Neighborhood Councils about various issues that are taking place in Los Angeles, as well as encouraging NCs and their stakeholders to use the power that they have to influence legislation through Community Impact Statements.