Have you ever wondered how many people are living on the streets of Los Angeles? It's a question that weighs heavily on the minds of many, especially those who witness the growing homelessness crisis every day. For this reason, the Los Angeles community undertakes an annual homeless count, a vital initiative that aims to measure the extent of homelessness in our city. This count is conducted by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, or LAHSA, over a span of three days in the chill of late January. This task, daunting as it may be, is made possible by the tireless efforts of dedicated volunteers. These individuals fan out across the city, counting not just the number of people they encounter, but also the tense and makeshift shelters that have become all too common.
But the count goes beyond just numbers. Volunteers also engage in qualitative surveys, gathering crucial information about the living conditions of those experiencing homelessness. This data provides a deeper understanding of the crisis and helps to inform strategies to alleviate it. However, the count is not without its challenges. With a majority of the unhoused population living on the streets rather than in shelters, the task of accurately quantifying them is a complex one.
Added to this is the need for language diversity among the volunteers to effectively reach non-English speaking individuals, a concern that highlights the areas for improvement in this critical undertaking. This count is not unique to Los Angeles. In fact, it's a federal requirement for all counties seeking funding for homeless services, with most cities conducting these counts on a single night in January. Yet, due to the sheer scale of its unsheltered population, Los Angeles extends this process over three days. The previous year's count estimated a staggering 71,320 unhoused individuals in LA County alone, a figure that underscores the severity of the issue and the urgency of addressing it. Despite the challenges, this count remains crucial for understanding and addressing homelessness in our city.
It's a sobering reminder of the work that lies ahead, but also a testament to the commitment of those striving to make a difference. So, what makes counting the unhoused population in Los Angeles such a daunting task? Well, for starters, imagine trying to count a moving target. That's what it's like trying to quantify the unhoused population. The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, or LASSA, conducts the greater Los Angeles homeless count over a three-day period. This process involves hundreds of volunteers who not only count people, tents, and makeshift shelters, but also conduct qualitative surveys to gather more information about the living conditions of those experiencing homelessness.
But here's the kicker. Because a majority of these individuals live on the streets rather than in shelters, the task is far from straightforward. The transient nature of homelessness means that the population is constantly fluctuating. Volunteers must be diligent and thorough, but even then, there's always a chance someone might be missed. Language barriers present another hurdle. Los Angeles is a melting pot of cultures, and not everyone speaks English. To address this, LASSA ensures adequate language representation among volunteer teams.
However, reaching non-English-speaking individuals effectively remains a challenge. The presence of law enforcement and LASSA representatives in high-risk areas is a double-edged sword. While their involvement is necessary for the safety of volunteers, it can also create a sense of wariness among the unhoused. Some may perceive the volunteers as being associated with the government or police, and choose not to participate in the surveys. Then there's the sensitive nature of the survey questions. Topics such as health, HIV status, relationships, and drug use are covered. While these questions are crucial to understanding the underlying issues faced by the unhoused, they can potentially be triggering. Volunteers do issue warnings before asking such questions, but the risk of causing distress is an unfortunate reality of the process. In the end, despite the challenges, the homeless count remains an indispensable tool in the fight against homelessness. It's not perfect, but the data collected is invaluable in identifying where services are most needed and shaping the world. (Watch video for more)
Comments