Homelessness is often oversimplified, but our recent special social event, "Voices of Change: Understanding Homelessness in LA," truly delved into depth on a complicated issue. We deepened our grasp of the complexity surrounding homelessness through meaningful interactions, shelter visits, and one-on-one discussions with mental health professionals. Our time allowed the development of further understanding of the complexities involving homelessness and the ways we can drive change.
One of the most memorable moments happened during our ice cream social. Sitting in a circle with a group of people who have lived in camps, I heard their stories. One man, Carlos, spoke of losing his job during the pandemic, and how step by step his stable life unraveled. "It's not that I didn't want to go to a shelter," he said, "but the shelters didn't feel safe. It's hard to sleep when you're worried about your things being stolen, or worse." His words echoed what we later heard from others shelters often lack the basic sense of security and personal dignity that camps, despite their challenges, can sometimes provide.
A visit to a nearby shelter proved similarly enlightening. Although the staff were committed and doing their utmost given the scarcity of resources, the cracks in the system certainly showed. Lila, for one, expressed frustration about shelters being a little private, describing how the lack of space and strict scheduling creates a situation in which returning to normalcy seems impossible. "It's not just about having a roof," she said. It's about having a space where you feel human again." This rang true for so many of us, realizing that homelessness wasn't just about a lack of housing; it was about dignity and agency lost.
Another powerful moment came after the shelter visits, as we did our debrief with a professional in the mental health field. We discussed how one of the main misconceptions about homelessness is centered around mental illness. Instead, we learned that for many people, the development of mental health issues occurs after becoming homeless due to the huge stress, instability, and trauma associated with life on the streets. The professional shared tales of formerly functioning members of society who had spiraled into depression, anxiety, or PTSD after being repeatedly subjected to months of homelessness. A stark reminder, this was indeed, that mental health support needs to be both proactive and accessible for preventing and recovering from conditions.
Most striking, though, was the eagerness of every person we spoke to- whether living in camps, staying in shelters, or working on the front lines - for their voices to be heard. They wanted people to understand that homelessness isn't a simple problem with a simple solution. It's a complex web of economic, social, and emotional challenges that require empathy, innovation, and action.
It is only in retrospection that the event made crystal clear the fact that the solution to homelessness is not an immediate sheltering problem but a core systemic crisis of housing. For any long-term solution, there has to be guaranteed assurance of affordable, stable housing. Safe, accessible housing options, when unavailable, result in many being left with no choice other than to seek shelters or camps-both of which present a number of challenges. Addressing the housing crisis could mean real progress, coupled with increased mental health resources and support services tailored to individual needs.
This event just really rededicated us anew to advocating for change. Solutions have to be holistic, from bettering shelter conditions to housing affordability to integrating mental health resources; they have to be informed by the experience of the people we are trying to help. Most importantly, it reminded us to listen-just listen-to the voices of the ones affected. Their stories hold the key to the creation of systems that would work for all.
Let us take these insights with us in our collective work toward a future where safety, dignity, and a place to call home are available to all.
There’s a lot of good things and solutions to homelessness on this page. Loving the discussion and the examples. How do we go from discussing to actually implementing some or all of these?
For me, hearing that mental health challenges often develop after homelessness is a revelation. It shows just how essential stability and housing are to well-being. I was fortunate enough to never have to experience this so I don’t know how it feels like and I wish no one would have to be in this situation.
People that experience homelessness can find it frustrating, overwhelming and very difficult (just like Lisa’s story shows) and maybe we all should work towards offering people a sense of control in these moments. How? Provide private spaces with shelters, flexible rules and then paths to permanent housing.
Carlos’ story (like so many others) highlights the domino effect that occurs when stable housing is lost. A job loss can quickly escalate into homelessness without adequate social safety nets.
We need to work towards expanding unemployment benefits and offering emergency rental assistance so stories like his don’t become the norm.
Affordable housing isn’t just a dream - it’s the solution. Let’s work on policies that make it accessible to everyone. Affordable housing initiatives like inclusionary zoning laws, which require new developments to include a percentage of affordable units, are proven strategies.