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The 4,000 homeless youth (between age 18-24) in LA, a number that grew by 24% just last year, are living in a dire new reality during this crisis.
Their odds of long-term homelessness have increased significantly.
Let’s talk about what they’re facing and how to help. (thread)
Their odds of long-term homelessness have increased significantly.
Let’s talk about what they’re facing and how to help. (thread)
Last week, as part of our Regenerative Policy discussion series, we had the opportunity to hear from leaders at the LA Coalition to End Youth Homelessness: young people using their current or past experience with homelessness to advocate for reform.
They taught us a lot.
They taught us a lot.
Many homeless youth in LA are enrolled in school.
A 2017 survey found that about 1 in 5 students in LA’s community colleges are homeless on any given night. Private colleges like USC have a large number of homeless students, too. https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-homeless-community-college-20170628-story.html
A 2017 survey found that about 1 in 5 students in LA’s community colleges are homeless on any given night. Private colleges like USC have a large number of homeless students, too. https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-homeless-community-college-20170628-story.html
For the many young people who are homeless and taking classes, the process of continuing their education is now vastly more difficult -- primarily because of limited Internet access.
Formerly reliable spots to use Wi-fi, like libraries and coffee shops, are now closed.
Formerly reliable spots to use Wi-fi, like libraries and coffee shops, are now closed.
The County has a map of public Wi-Fi -- but there's a huge gap in LA city.
This map also “cannot guarantee” Wi-Fi at these locations. Some of them are libraries that are closed.
Imagine taking multiple buses to access Internet and finding it unavailable. https://lacounty.maps.arcgis.com/apps/ZoneLookup/index.html?appid=e6fbcad3b92244cabcb7b2130e5ffae7
This map also “cannot guarantee” Wi-Fi at these locations. Some of them are libraries that are closed.
Imagine taking multiple buses to access Internet and finding it unavailable. https://lacounty.maps.arcgis.com/apps/ZoneLookup/index.html?appid=e6fbcad3b92244cabcb7b2130e5ffae7
Navigating services is now even more complicated.
LACEYH member Tonny talked about having to visit lots of offices for paperwork before the pandemic. "Now they send us to offices, but many of them are closed.”
For youth on the housing path, COVID-19 put a stop to that process.
LACEYH member Tonny talked about having to visit lots of offices for paperwork before the pandemic. "Now they send us to offices, but many of them are closed.”
For youth on the housing path, COVID-19 put a stop to that process.
Many homeless youth who were working have lost their jobs. Finding new employment has, as you can imagine, proven to be virtually impossible.
Most of all, they’re struggling with loneliness. Community programs have shut down. They can feel their mental health being tested.
Most of all, they’re struggling with loneliness. Community programs have shut down. They can feel their mental health being tested.
The daily life of homeless youth is one facet of the new face of homelessness in Los Angeles: people who had precious few resources to begin with, now seeing even those taken away.
A citywide emergency looming that much larger.
A citywide emergency looming that much larger.
Helping youth find their way out of homelessness means that you’re preventing adult homelessness.
That’s why we’re encouraging donations to the LACEYH Fund. It provides grocery and Internet cards to young people -- needs we heard directly from them. https://findyourlens.co/laceyh-fundraiser
That’s why we’re encouraging donations to the LACEYH Fund. It provides grocery and Internet cards to young people -- needs we heard directly from them. https://findyourlens.co/laceyh-fundraiser
In the coming weeks, we’re also releasing an updated homelessness policy.
Our plan will address the unique needs of youth. 1 in 9 homeless people in Council District 4 are 18-24, one of only three of LA’s 15 districts where youth make up more than 10% of our homeless neighbors.
Our plan will address the unique needs of youth. 1 in 9 homeless people in Council District 4 are 18-24, one of only three of LA’s 15 districts where youth make up more than 10% of our homeless neighbors.
In our upcoming homelessness policy, we’ll revisit strategies we outlined before this crisis -- and account for the need to place everyone in Los Angeles in housing that keeps them safe during a pandemic.
Here's our current policy if you haven't read it: https://nithyaforthecity.com/platform/housing-homelessness/
Here's our current policy if you haven't read it: https://nithyaforthecity.com/platform/housing-homelessness/
