SACRAMENTO – Assemblywoman Luz Rivas (D-Arleta) comments on the annual point-in-time count delivered by the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors. The results show a 12% increase countywide, totaling to 58,936 homeless individuals. In addition, the results show a 16% increase citywide, totaling to 36,300 homeless individuals in Los Angeles alone. Of the overall county results, San Fernando Valley has a 4% increase bringing the total homeless population to 8,047.
“While we see these numbers as figures, it is important to note that a significant portion of these homeless individuals are the hidden homeless children,” said Assemblywoman Luz Rivas. “Earlier this year, the Governor created the homeless taskforce to combat the state’s homelessness. While the Governor’s taskforce is a welcome addition to the fight against homelessness, we also have a Homeless Coordinating and Financing Council (entity) that is legislatively mandated to address and end the state’s homeless crisis.
The County increased their efforts to combat homelessness and has housed over 21,000 people last year through various systems and interventions. While the County is housing people at a rapid rate, they are unable to keep pace with the amount of people becoming homeless.
“I applaud our County’s effort to house homeless individuals, but the homeless crisis has proven to be too overwhelming which is why I have authored AB 1702 to encourage the Governor, taskforce, and my colleagues to give this entity the resources it needs because this data tells us the county can’t do it alone,” said Assemblywoman Luz Rivas.
Assemblywoman Rivas proudly represents the 39th Assembly District, which includes the communities of Arleta, Lake View Terrace, Granada Hills, Mission Hills, North Hollywood, Pacoima, Sun Valley, Sunland-Tujunga, Sylmar, and San Fernando.
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