On November 18, 2022, a rally in downtown Los Angeles brought attention to the growing homelessness crisis in the city, which has become one of the most pressing social issues in California. The event, organized by a coalition of housing advocates, local officials, and community organizations, aimed to raise awareness about the dire need for affordable housing and effective mental health support for individuals experiencing homelessness. With over 40,000 homeless people in Los Angeles County, the crisis is only deepening, despite ongoing efforts to provide solutions.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, newly elected in 2022 and focused on addressing homelessness, attended the rally and delivered an impassioned speech calling for an immediate focus on housing solutions and supportive services. “We cannot continue to turn a blind eye to our neighbors who are living without the basic human right of shelter. The time for incremental changes is over,” Bass said. “It’s time for bold action and an all-hands-on-deck approach to make real change.”
The rally also featured remarks from local homelessness advocates like Peter Kim, a representative from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA). Kim pointed to the rising number of unsheltered individuals living on the streets, particularly in Skid Row, an area that has long been a hotspot for homelessness in the city. “We are seeing families, veterans, and even children in greater numbers among the homeless population,” Kim said. “The need for a comprehensive, coordinated response to this crisis has never been more urgent.”
Despite various programs intended to address homelessness, including increased funding for shelters and supportive housing projects, experts argue that Los Angeles has not yet found a solution that adequately addresses the root causes of homelessness. The pandemic has exacerbated the problem, with the economic downturn and high housing costs pushing even more individuals and families into poverty. Experts like Dr. Susan Lee, a social policy researcher at UCLA, have pointed out that the lack of affordable housing and mental health services are key contributors to the homelessness crisis. “The cost of living in Los Angeles continues to rise, but wages have not kept up. For many people, the basic necessity of a roof over their head has become increasingly out of reach,” Dr. Lee explained.
In response to the growing crisis, Mayor Bass has proposed a new initiative that includes building thousands of new affordable housing units, expanding mental health services for homeless individuals, and improving outreach efforts to connect people with housing and healthcare resources. “We must invest in permanent housing solutions, not just temporary shelters,” Bass said. “Our goal is not only to provide a bed for the night but to give people the tools they need to rebuild their lives.”
Despite these initiatives, the path forward remains fraught with challenges. With skyrocketing rent prices, an influx of people struggling to make ends meet, and limited available resources, it’s clear that solving Los Angeles’s homelessness crisis will take more than just government action. It will require collaboration from businesses, nonprofits, and community members alike.
As the city grapples with the growing issue, events like the rally on November 18th serve as a reminder that homelessness is not just an issue for policymakers to solve—it’s a community crisis that requires collective action and sustained effort. The rally attendees left the event with a sense of urgency and a shared commitment to work together in order to provide the resources necessary for a more just and equitable future.
