LGBTQ+ Youth – Hollywood Homeless Youth Partnership

Opposition Letter to LA County Ordinance 41.18

What is LA County’s Ordinance Section 41.18?

Ordinance Section 41.18 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code to specify the particular times and locations where it shall be unlawful for a person to sit, lie, or sleep, or to store, use, maintain, or place personal property in the public right-of way.

The proposed ordinance

Map Detailing the affected area

The Hollywood Homeless Youth Partnership Opposition

The Hollywood Homeless Youth Partnership expresses profound concerns about the potential consequences of legislation (referred to as 41.18) that grants the city authority to prohibit sitting, sleeping, and lying within specific zones. These zones encompass areas near freeways, certain facilities, and new housing initiatives, and criminalize property storage within these zones.

The partnership, comprising agencies aiding homeless youth, fears that such legislation would severely affect the youth they assist for the following reasons:

Unsheltered Youth Impact: A significant portion of homeless youth (55% in LAHSA’s 2020 count) remain unsheltered, often relying on services provided by the coalition.
Housing Shortage: Adequate housing, particularly tailored to youth’s specific needs, is lacking, with a stark imbalance between available beds and demand.
Criminalization Concerns: The coalition worries that this legislation could lead to the criminalization of homeless youth, disproportionately affecting Black, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ individuals and perpetuating lifelong negative impacts.
Law Enforcement Referrals: Enlisting law enforcement for homelessness referrals could strain already tense youth law enforcement relationships and contradict evidence-based practices.
Hidden Population: The legislation could drive homeless youth further into hiding, complicating efforts to accurately assess their numbers and needs during the pandemic.
Resource Burden: The legislation might increase service provider burdens by compelling them to replace confiscated belongings, manage additional legal issues, and support youth with unmet needs.

The partnership strongly believes that this legislation could reinforce the criminalization of homeless youth, exacerbate disparities faced by marginalized groups, and worsen existing barriers, especially during a year marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and racial justice movements. The coalition calls for a thoughtful reconsideration of the legislation’s potential implications.

Read the full opposition letter [here].

Guide for Elected Officials

The Hollywood Homeless Youth Partnership (HHYP), a collaboration of youth-serving agencies, is addressing the urgent issue of youth homelessness in the community. The agencies served around 2,200 young people last year, but housing resources remain inadequate. Structural racism and discrimination disproportionately affect Black and LGBTQ+ youth, necessitating a focus on these groups for effective solutions.

Key Challenges Faced:

Limited Understanding– The HUD definition of homelessness hampers an accurate understanding of youth homelessness’s extent.

Lack of Data– Effective housing strategies and success tracking for young people are lacking.

Inadequate Vulnerability Assessment– Adult-based vulnerability criteria don’t suit the unique challenges pushing youth into homelessness.

Lack of Youth Involvement– Genuine youth leadership is needed to create responsive service systems.

Communication Challenges– Challenges arise in managing young people through the homeless services system.

Proposed Solutions:

Preventing Homelessness- Focus on strategies preventing homelessness, including changes to Child Welfare systems and tenant protections.

Staffing Support– Invest in competitive salaries for staff to enhance program effectiveness.

Tailored Outreach– Design outreach strategies specific to young people’s distinct needs.

Mental Health– Non-police responses to mental health crises should consider young people’s unique needs.

Needs and Policy Actions:

Youth-Centric Housing– Develop housing options tailored to young people’s unique needs.

Salary Funding– Allocate more funding for staff salaries to reduce turnover and enhance program continuity.

Mental Health Support– Allocate resources for youth-focused mental health practitioners.

Minor Support– Provide resources for homeless minors and families.

Undocumented Youth– Address the needs of undocumented youth accessing services.

Peer Support– Back programs supporting peer mental health support.

Parenting Youth– Support pregnant and parenting young people with tailored housing programs.

Empower Youth– Adopt the “Young People to the Front” platform, advocating for youth-targeted funding and services, housing options, and decriminalization of homelessness.

The full memo can be accessed [here]. The HHYP is eager to collaborate with elected officials to create effective solutions to youth homelessness, considering its unique challenges and the diverse needs of young people in the community.

Opposition Letter to LA County Ordinance 41.18

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