June 6, 2019
LA County 2019 Homeless Count was released this week, see the results below and the implications this has for the families we serve!
Quick Facts About Homelessness in LA County:
- 58,936 people are experiencing homelessness in LA County a 12% increase from last year.
- This includes 8,799 family members (5,214 children & 3,585 parents) a 6% increase.
- 3,940 people are homeless because they have fled domestic violence, a 28% increase.
Quick Facts About Door of Hope Service Areas:
- San Gabriel Valley: Homelessnessincreased by 24%, including a 31.5% increase in family homelessness.
- San Fernando alley: Homelessness increased by 4% but showed a 38.5% decrease in family homelessness.
Most troubling for Door of Hope families, family homelessness, homelessness because of domestic violence, and first-time homelessness all increased in LA County.
First Time Homelessness
Is On The Rise:
63% of unsheltered adults are experiencing homelessness for the first time.
- 23% lost their housing in 2018.
- 40% lost their housing in 2017 or earlier and have still not found new housing.
*LA CoC numbers exclude Glendale, Pasadena, and Long Beach.
Prevention is a vital part of the solution for first-time homeless families.
High rents and low wages are fueling the homelessness crisis:
- 53% of people experiencing first-time homelessness cited “Economic Hardship” as a leading factor.
- An LA renter earning minimum wage (13.25/hr) would need to work 79 hours per week to afford rent on a 1- bedroom apartment.
- 1/3 of LA households spend more than 50% of their household income on rent.
How You Can Help:
One of the most high-impact low-cost ways to help this ongoing crisis is prevention. You can prevent homelessness by supporting Door of Hope’s prevention program which provides case management and financial assistance to families on the brink of homelessness.
$50 – Case Management & Financial Education
$250 – Utility Assistance
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