Welcome to the June edition of The Road Home. This edition of our newsletter features articles on our Best Practices for Addressing Street Encampments guidance, progress vaccinating our unhoused neighbors, what to do if you’re experiencing housing discrimination, raising awareness about LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness in America, and more. For more frequent updates, check out our blog on Medium, also called The Road Home, here.
|
|
|
How Best to Address Street Encampments in Los Angeles
|
|
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. They are more likely to be female, Black, or Latinx. They are more likely to report being LGBTQ+ and less likely to have a substance abuse issue or mental illness.
|
|
|
|
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 LGBTQ folks. 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.
|
|
|
|
What to do if you’re experiencing housing discrimination
|
|
|
Housing discrimination is among the several challenges many LGBTQ+ individuals and families face as they seek housing. However, there are several laws meant to protect our clients against this type of discrimination, such as the Fair Housing Act, HUD’s Equal Access Rule, and State and Local Laws Prohibiting Discrimination on the Basis of Sexual Orientation and/or Gender Identity.
|
|
|
|
Progress Update: Vaccines for People Experiencing Homelessness
|
|
|
Since the onset of COVID-19, Los Angeles County and its partners have worked quickly to prevent the spread of the virus among people experiencing homelessness. Since February, LAHSA has been working with the County Health Department's Housing for Health to help vaccinate our unhoused neighbors. The partnership has administered thousands of vaccine doses, but there are challenges that must be addressed to build upon the early success.
|
|
|
|
Data Spotlight: Permanent Housing by District
|
|
|
|
|
|
|