Los Angeles County has cut homelessness, but wildfires threaten to erase that gain | Global News Avenue

Altadena, California – Flames engulfed nearby canyons, and dozens of residents of sobering homes fled to an uninhabited building about 30 miles south. The evacuees, many of whom were previously homeless, looked at them helplessly Home burned On live TV.

The next morning, when they woke up, the loss was in trouble. Some people worry about uncertainty. Others go back to the lives they think they stay.

“I have nothing but the clothes on my back. It just brings back all the homeless and drug users,” said Sean Brown, a resident. “A little like I’m back to the first place.” square.”

The large two-story Altadena house is known as Art House by employees and residents, surrounded by fruit trees and rugged mountains. For many, it is a safe space that allows them to achieve and stay awake, rebuild relationships and stay working.

Now 35 years old Eaton Fire Destroy one property and damage another property operated by a nonprofit organization Los Angeles Alcohol and Drug Addict Center. Supported by public funding, the organization provides housing and behavioral health treatments for struggling addicts, many living on the streets. Operators say both properties are not habitable and they are looking for permanent housing for displaced people.

“Our residents are still temporarily lodging. Now, we are looking for temporary things, but we still need to determine long-term housing for them,” said Juan Navarro, CEO of the nonprofit. “And we are More beds are needed. After the fire, we see a greater demand for treatment and services.”

Weeks since the country The most expensive natural disastervery obvious Los Angeles Wildfire Not only Displaced people Who dug out homeless people, also fell into housing, but also hit the homeless response in the area. In recent years, the kind of far-reaching care system formed by government agencies and local nonprofits has been inspired by billions of dollars in cities, counties and states to combat the homeless epidemic in California.

Wildfires are now adding pressure to systems that are already under enormous pressure to keep long-term homeless people indoors. Homeless service operators and street medicine providers have been putting pressure on state and local leaders to allocate more funds to allow people to accommodate people on the streets, but they are violating competitive requirements for wildfire recovery and increased the budget.

“Many of the people we work with have lost everything, they are trying to rebuild their lives, and now there is a group of other people doing the same thing and competing for the same resources,” said Jennifer Hark Dietz. Social workers and Path CEO, providing services and housing for the homeless.

In recent years, state and local leaders have used unprecedented investment to open thousands Shelter, temporary and permanent units. This helps Los Angeles County and state stalls make meaningful gains, even if more than 187,000 people are homeless in California, including 75,000 in Los Angeles County.

According to VA Lecia Adams Kellum, 2024 homeless Va Lecia Adams Kellum said homeless Va Lecia Adams Kellum had moved in the past year The number of people to permanent housing increased by 45%, and the number of people moving from tents to temporary housing increased by 32%. The Los Angeles Homeless Services Bureau leads the county’s homeless response system. In Los Angeles County, there are nearly 30,000 permanent housing locations.

According to the latest federal estimates, the nationwide homeless population grew by 18% nationwide from 2023 to 2024, but California grew by just 3%. Even more strikingly, Los Angeles County has reduced overall homelessness, albeit slightly less homeless.

The number of people living in Los Angeles County fell 5.1%, and in the city of Los Angeles, the number of people uncovered fell 10.4%.

As wildfires are displaced and destroy hard progress More than 16,000 structures. There is already a shortage of affordable housing and is intensifying.

Previous homeless people who experienced addiction, domestic violence or mental illness are now worried that they will not prioritize resettlement despite losing their homeland and gaining state and local homeless plans. Many homeless people who have been waiting for housing for a long time will be forced to wait longer as more displaced people face homelessness and fight for Expensive housing.

Homeless again

It is not clear how many people who were previously homeless Homeless again. Street medicine providers and other frontline workers say some stay in hotels for the time being, while others move in with friends or family.

There is evidence that some people are already homeless.

“We have seen some people moving into their vehicles because they don’t have the money to pay for even temporary housing,” said Adams Kellum. “Before the fire, we’ve seen very vulnerable people.” Rents cannot be managed, so this housing competition puts people at greater risk of homelessness.”

Adams Kellum said that in the vast area, there has been significant progress in coordinating resources and services, but more money is needed to help people live from short to permanent housing.

Currently, residents of the burned art gallery will be allowed to live in the Santa Fe Springs building where the nonprofit plans to redevelop residential treatment, Navarro said. He said nonprofits are looking for more stable housing for displaced people, but relocating them to the art gallery is currently unavailable.

Residents grieved that they lost the transformative environment of the art gallery, which they called “empowering campuses.” Brown said he embraced the spirit even though he had been displaced and traumatized by wildfires. He is currently working on two jobs and is teaching a bachelor’s degree.

Paul Rosales, a 24-year-old meth recovery, said the art gallery is a place to recover. “That’s where I found myself; it’s where I built my recovery. There’s a beautiful orange tree, just a few steps away from the mountains, where you can meditate and watch the sunset.

“It’s away from Skid Row. I know I’m safe,” Rosales said. “It’s all gone now.”

Residents say they are not on the street, but anxiety increases during the day, especially for the queer and transgender people who form their communities there.

“It’s constant pressure to not know if I’m going to be in a stable housing situation,” said Alexandria Castaneda, 29.

The Battle of Resources

Sarah Hoppmeyer, chief program officer at Union Station Homeless Services, provides housing for people on the street, said she is worried about the reduction in resources. She and other providers stress the importance of not ignoring the current homeless people, many of whom have been waiting for housing.

“We don’t want wildfire cancellation to prioritize people who have already experienced homelessness,” she said.

The elected leaders have committed to retaining the benefits that Los Angeles County has achieved by allocating existing resources and demanding more reductions in homelessness. Some Voters-approved initiatives In Los Angeles, they say, it is crucial, but so is lobbying for state support.

“We have the potential to lose the foundation without continuing and expanding resources.”

Previous fires have caused an increase in homelessness, including 2018 in Sonoma County And in 2024 on Maui Homelessness surges The year after the fire was opened.

State Senator Sasha Renée Péreza Democrat-affiliated area that includes part of Los Angeles County burning in wildfires, she said she will continue to urge additional homeless funds as a member of the Senate Budget Committee. While Gov. Gavin Newsom’s administration said the state had cultivated an unprecedented $27 billion in local homeless response and prevention programs, he did not make the case for None in this year’s proposal Fight the crisis of homelessness.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t see additional funds from the fund this year,” Perez said. “But we have to continue these investments.”

Newsom said on Monday that the state should not continue to “funded money.” He said he was willing to negotiate with city, county and state lawmakers as long as any new homeless funding brings greater responsibility, which means local governments use the money to clean up camps, remove tents and reduce slashes. There is no fixed homeless person.

Newsom officials stressed that the state budget is tight – its balance range is poor compared to previous years, under greater pressure, threats from the Trump administration and potential losses of important federal funds for programs like Medicaid. The governor said he “hopefully we can reach an agreement”, but warned that the state could back down funds if local governments do not adequately address the homelessness on the streets.

“We’re too forgiving because it’s about camps and tents. We need to clean them up,” Newsom said. “We’re providing unprecedented support. Now we need to see unprecedented results.”

Congressman John Harabedian, another Los Angeles-area Democrat, said additional homeless spending is crucial for wildfire victims and continues to fight the fight statewide crisis.

“Those who are already homeless, they just got stuck in some kind of housing stability, but then lost housing again – they will need immediate attention,” he said. “Our system is failing.”

This article is from KFF Health Newsa national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues, is KFF – Independent sources of health policy research, polls and journalism. KFF Health News is California Health Linean editorial independent service California Health Care Foundation.