The most commonly cited definition of a homeless person is from Section 11302 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. That Act defines a homeless person as an individual who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence or a person who resides in a shelter, welfare hotel, transitional program or place not ordinarily used as regular sleeping accommodations, such as streets, cars, movie theatres, etc.
PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY...
Families
Families, typically headed by single mothers, represent a growing percentage of the overall homeless population, with nightly estimates ranging from 20% to 43%. In Los Angeles, the average homeless family has 2 children
Youth
Unaccompanied youth, many clustering in the Hollywood area, represent a small but important group, with annual estimates hovering between 4,800 and 10,000.
Gender
One-third to one-half of homeless people are women and girls. Men represent about three-quarters of the single population. Among families, the overwhelming majority of adults are women.
Race/Ethnicity
African Americans are disproportionately represented among the homeless population in Los Angeles County, while Latinos, Whites and Asians are underrepresented.
Education
About half of homeless adults in Los Angeles have
graduated from high school. Los Angeles appears to
have a greater percentage of homeless adults with a
college education (10%) than nationally (2%).
Source: Institute for the Study of Homelessness and Poverty
A Social Problem |
Where to go for help |
Resource Links |
Homelessness is one of our nation's most serious social problems. While it is often the result of interwoven systemic and personal problems,the primary cause of homelessness among families is the growing gap between housing costs and income.The emergency shelter system is able to accommodate only a small fraction ofthe growing number of homeless families in need. Families are forced to live in their cars, in garages, in other places unfit for human habitation or to move from place to place with their children, staying intermittently with friends and families. Homelessness can lead to depression, mental illness and child neglect. |
If you are homeless or about to become homeless, we may be able to help. To be eligible for one of New Lease on Life Transitional Shelter's programs, a family or individual must:
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undreds of resources are available on the Internet covering homelessness and related issues. The following resources will be helpful to those seeking information about homelessness issues.
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