Building a Change: Creating connections, skills and better communities to reduce homelessnessin Los Angeles

Homelessness around the world is a sustained and prevalent concern. In Building a Change: Creating connections, skills, and better communities to reduce homelessnessin Los Angeles, the population chosen to research and create an “intervention” for was young adults ages 18-24 who were homeless in Los Angeles, California. Homelessness is a persistent and pervasive issue with over four million people facing this (Morton et al., 2017). In Los Angeles, homelessness occurs at the highest prevalence rate in the United States with around 4,000 unsheltered youth facing homelessness (LAHSA, 2021). Homelessness can cause a myriad of concerns as those who are homeless are more likely to have poorer health outcomes, uptake risky behaviors, and experience mental health concerns (United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, 2018). Not just this but homelessness tends to target those who are minorities and more vulnerable (HUD, 2021). Thus, this population was chosen to center the intervention around.

The intervention was based on the Social Ecological Model as presented by the CDC. The first step will be at the individual level.  The individual-level includes an intervention in which life skills classes will be offered (Thompson et al., 2016). These teach skills like budgeting, problem-solving, and more (Thompson et al., 2016). These skills have been proven to increase self-efficacy and resilience (Thompson et al., 2016). On the interpersonal level, social connection groups and positive environments are created (Thompson et al., 2016). These will likely be done at community centers and be at a place where those with lived experiences of those in the situation currently reside. At a community level, the intention will be to try to reduce both literal and physical barriers to services and supports (Cronley & Evans, 2017). This can be done through case management and bringing the services to the people who need them (Cronley & Evans, 2017). At a policy level, the intervention would include advocating for a change to the Rapid Rehousing program in Los Angeles to serve young adults equally (National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2017).

To advertise for the interpersonal/relationship level, a poster was created. This has been included.

References

Cronley, C., & Evans, R. (2017). Studies of resilience among youth experiencing homelessness: A systematic review. Journal of Human Behavior in the Social Environment, 27(4), 291-310.

Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2021, January).The 2020 annual homeless assessment report to Congress [PDF]. Washington DC: Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. (2020, June 22). 2020 Greater Los Angeles homeless count. Los Angeles Continuum of Care.

Morton, M. H., Dworsky, A., & Samuels, G. M. (2017). Missed opportunities: Youth homelessness in America. National estimates. Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago.

United States Interagency Council on Homelessness. (2018, October). Homelessness in America: Focus on youth.United States Interagency Council on Homelessness.