Changemakers LA: Crisis Within a Crisis: Solving Homelessness Amidst a Pandemic

Changemakers LA

In the past year, the number of people experiencing homelessness within the Los Angeles County has risen by 13%. But today, hundreds of thousands more Angelenos are at risk of losing their homes as the pandemic has thrown both our city’s physical and financial health into limbo. In response to this crisis within a crisis, the City has protected Angelenos from ending up without a home by instating an eviction moratorium. But with thousands at risk and the moratorium set to expire, how do we prepare for what is still to come?

In this episode of the Changemakers LA podcast, we meet with leaders taking on homelessness in Los Angeles to discuss what is yet to come and how we can best respond.

Joining LISC LA for this conversation are:

• Lois Starr, Acting Executive Director at People Assisting the Homeless
• Laura Vandeweghe, Chief Operating Officer at Decro Corporation
• Tommy Newman, Senior Director at United Way of Greater Los Angeles

In this conversation we explore:

• How has the pandemic deepened the existing homelessness crisis
• What can be done to accelerate much-needed affordable housing development
• How can local governments and Angelenos be allies in this effort
• How has the pandemic emphasized the relationship between housing and health

This episode of the Changemakers LA Podcast was made possibly by our partner, Wells Fargo.

This podcast was recorded on 8/24. If you would like to learn more, visit the show notes at: https://www.lisc.org/los-angeles/, or view the Affordable Housing Toolkit at https://www.lisc.org/los-angeles/covid-19-response/supporting-affordable-housing-owners-during-covid-19/.