With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
Few Of LA's Unhoused Veterans Are Getting A Place To Live. New Research Partly Blames 'Ineffective' Outreach
A homeless encampment on First Street across from City Hall in downtown Los Angeles.
(
Chava Sanchez
/
LAist
)
A new study by the RAND Corporation and USC found that few veterans experiencing homelessness in Los Angeles have been able to obtain permanent housing.
Many of the unhoused veterans told the researchers that obtaining housing was their life's goal, but many became disillusioned about their chances of achieving it, according to Sarah Hunter, who directs the RAND Center on Housing and Homelessness in L.A.
"I think it's also important to note that outreach services appear to be ineffective," she said. Hunter said when the year-long study began, there were only five outreach workers at the VA to serve all of L.A. County's nearly 4,000 unhoused veterans.
Hunter and her colleagues followed 26 veterans experiencing homeless, from the summer of 2019 to the summer of 2020. Many of the participants said they had mental health issues as well as physical ailments. Seven of them reported using an illicit substance other than marijuana.
Support for LAist comes from
Most of the participants said housing was a priority for them when they entered the study; while 17 found some sort of stable housing over the course of the year, only three found permanent housing.
The study found that veterans who did find stable housing had reduced symptoms of distress, depression and psychosis, as well as an overall increase in their quality of life.
Marijuana use also dipped slightly after housing was secured, according to the report. But even for someone deemed vulnerable and a high priority for housing, it can take several months or even years to get accommodation due to the bureaucratic process of obtaining paperwork and clearance. On top of that, there's the lack of affordable housing in L.A. County.
Federal marijuana policy is another obstacle. On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said it will continue to deny federally-subsidized housing to marijuana smokers, regardless of state laws.
As for Project Roomkey, Hunter said it's too soon to assess its effectiveness, given that it's been a temporary solution.
The successor project, Project Homekey, is intended as a permanent housing solution. The RAND scientist noted the initiative demonstrates that the state and city can put up housing quickly — with enough urgency behind the effort.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails. -
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.
Best of LAist