The 8 Questions Everyone Asks About Homelessness...
There are multiple factors that contribute to – and exacerbate – our homeless crisis here in Los Angeles.
Let’s have a look.
What Does It Mean To Be Homeless?
Depending on the circumstances, homelessness can look different for everyone.
Chronic Homelessness
What is chronic homelessness?
Episodic Homelessness
What is episodic homelessness?
Episodic homelessness afflicts individuals who experience chronic unemployment and who suffer from physical or mental health challenges and substance abuse problems.
Transitional Homelessness
What is transitional homelessness?
Hidden Homelessness
What is hidden homelessness?
What are the Main Causes of Homelessness?
- Insufficient income and a lack of affordable housing.
- After paying rent and utilities, 75% of households end up with less than half of their income left to pay for necessities such as food, medicine, transportation, or childcare.
- The foreclosure crisis continues to play a significant role in prolonging homelessness.
- For women in particular, domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness.
- Individuals suffering from mental illness or substance abuse issues without access to proper care.
- Families and individuals enduring the hardships that accompany unemployment.
What are the Main Causes of Homelessness in Los Angeles?
— Inadequate housing supply – Homelessness starts rising when median rents in a region exceed 22% of the median income. In LA, the median rent is 46.7% of the median income. This is largely due to the lack of affordable housing.
— Systemic racism – Systemic racism has led to disproportionate number of Black people becoming homeless. The Black community comprises 8% of the county population, and 33.7% of the people experiencing homelessness.
— Income inequality – The homeless crisis in Southern California is challenging the region at large. San Diego is the only city to see their homeless count decrease, while LA County, Kern, San Bernardino, Ventura, and Riverside saw increases between 3% to 20%.
How does Humanity Heroes help the Homeless in Los Angeles?
We believe in putting life-giving essentials straight into the hands of the homeless through our direct distribution program. Our volunteers walk the streets of Skid Row and provide the community with Humanity Packs, each of which features a curated selection of items the homeless population needs on a daily basis.
The Humanity Heroes “Humanity Pack” helps improve the quality of life for the homeless in three main ways:
— Cleanliness and Hygiene – Humanity Heroes has donated over 173,000 hygiene items to help the homeless maintain cleanliness and hygiene. The fact is, disease and infection are the second leading cause of death for our homeless communities. Each Humanity Pack includes oral care, skin care, hair care and body care hygiene items. For a full list of hygiene items we donate, please visit our product donation page.
— Weather Protection – Humanity Heroes has donated over 60,000 items to the help the homeless combat unforgiving weather conditions. The average lifespan of a homeless person is just 50 years due to exposure to extreme climates that make them susceptible to disease and chronic illnesses. Humanity Heroes donates numerous weather-protection items, including gloves, beanies, rain ponchos, socks, sunscreen and wool blankets.
— Safety and Shelter – Humanity Heroes has donated over 20,000 items to the homeless.
Homeless shelters in LA County can only accommodate 3% of the total homeless population, leaving the remaining 97% unsheltered on the streets in dismal conditions. Since 2011, unsheltered homelessness has risen by 62% in LA County. Humanity Heroes provided tarps, flashlights, first aid kits and clothing to help the homeless.
What Homeless Population Does Humanity Heroes help in Los Angeles?
Humanity Heroes has donated face masks, hygiene kits and our Humanity Packs to help both unsheltered and sheltered homeless populations. We partner with multiple organizations to tailor our donations to specific segments of the community.
To help with unsheltered homelessness, we’ve partnered with:
My Friends House Foundation
Homeless Healthcare Los Angeles
Midnight Mission
To help with sheltered homelessness, we’ve partnered with:
Skid Row Housing Trust
Los Angeles Mission
Union Rescue Mission
To help with the homeless youth, we’ve partnered with:
Covenant House Los Angeles
Hope Gardens
LGBT Youth Center
To help with homeless veterans, we’ve partnered with:
Department of Homeless Affairs
The 8 Questions Everyone Asks About Homelessness...
There are multiple factors that contribute to – and exacerbate – our homeless crisis here in Los Angeles.
Let’s have a look.
What Does it mean to be homeless?
Depending on the circumstances, homeless can look different for everyone.
Chronic Homelessness
What is chronic homelessness?
Episodic Homelessness
What is episodic homelessness?
Episodic homelessness afflicts individuals who experience chronic unemployment and who suffer from physical or mental health challenges and substance abuse problems.
Transitional Homelessness
What is transitional homelessness?
Hidden Homelessness
What is hidden homelessness?
What are the Main Causes of Homelessness?
According to a study by the National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty, the top six causes of homelessness nationwide are:
- Insufficient income and a lack of
affordable housing. - After paying rent and utilities, 75% of households end up with less than half of their income left to pay for necessities such as food, medicine, transportation, or childcare.
- The foreclosure crisis continues to play a significant role in prolonging homelessness.
- For women in particular, domestic violence is a leading cause of homelessness.
- Individuals suffering from mental illness or substance abuse issues without access to proper care.
- Families and individuals enduring the hardships that accompany unemployment.
What are the Main Causes of Homelessness in Los Angeles?
The Los Angeles annual homeless count reveals a startling 66,433 people now living on the streets, in shelters and in vehicles within LA County. That is an increase of 12.7% from 2019. Within Los Angeles city limits, the number of people experiencing homelessness is 41,290 – a 14.2% increase over last year.
Inadequate housing supply – Homelessness starts rising when median rents in a region exceed 22% of the median income. In LA, the median rent is 46.7% of the median income. This is largely due to the lack of affordable housing.
Systemic racism – Systemic racism has led to disproportionate number of Black people becoming homeless. The Black community comprises 8% of the county population, and 33.7% of the people experiencing homelessness.
Income inequality – The homeless crisis in Southern California is challenging the region at large. San Diego is the only city to see their homeless count decrease, while LA County, Kern, San Bernardino, Ventura, and Riverside saw increases between 3% to 20%.
What does Humanity Heroes help the homelessness in Los Angeles?
We believe in putting life-giving essentials straight into the hands of the homeless through our direct distribution program. Our volunteers walk the streets of Skid Row and provide the community with Humanity Packs, each of which features a curated selection of items the homeless population needs on a daily basis.
The Humanity Heroes “Humanity Pack” helps improve the quality of life for the homeless in three main ways:
Cleanliness and hygiene – Humanity Heroes has donated over 173,000 hygiene items to help the homeless maintain cleanliness and hygiene. The fact is, disease and infection are the second leading cause of death for our homeless communities. Each humanity pack includes oral care, skin care, hair care and body care hygiene items. For a full list of hygiene items we donate, please visit our product donation page.
Weather Protection – Humanity Heroes has donated over 60,000 items to the help the homeless combat unforgiving weather conditions. The average lifespan of a homeless person is just 50 years due to exposure to extreme climates that make them susceptible to disease and chronic illnesses. Humanity Heroes donates numerous weather-protection items, including gloves, beanies, rain ponchos, socks, sunscreen and wool blankets.
Safety and shelter – Humanity Heroes has donated over 20,000 items to the homeless.
Homeless shelters in LA County can only accommodate 3% of the total homeless population, leaving the remaining 97%, unsheltered on the streets in dismal conditions. Since 2011, unsheltered homelessness has risen by 62% in LA Count. Humanity Heroes provided tarps, flashlights, first aid kits and clothing to help the homeless.
What Homeless Population Does Humanity Heroes help in Los Angeles?
Humanity Heroes has donated face masks, hygiene kits and our Humanity Packs to help both unsheltered and sheltered homeless populations. We partner with multiple organizations to tailor our donations to specific segments of the community.
To help with unsheltered homelessness, we’ve partnered with:
My Friends House Foundation
Homeless Healthcare Los Angeles
Midnight Mission
To help with sheltered homelessness, we’ve partnered with:
Skid Row Housing Trust
Los Angeles Mission
Union Rescue Mission
To help with homeless youth, we’ve partnered with:
Covenant House Los Angeles
Hope Gardens
LGBT Youth Center
To help with homeless veterans, we’ve partnered with:
Department of Homeless Affairs
