According to the 2017 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count, 40 percent of people experiencing homelessness across LA County are Black, although Black people make up only 9 percent of the county's total population. The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) Commission recognized the need to dedicate focused attention to examine the barriers Black people may face when trying to exit homelessness and recently appointed the Ad Hoc Committee on Black People Experiencing Homelessness to lead this effort.

The Committee will employ a racial equity framework to address the overrepresentation of Black people among persons experiencing homelessness and will seek to identify opportunities for greater equity within the homeless service delivery system.

To support this effort, the Committee will hold targeted listening sessions throughout the county to engage advocates, service providers, and community members in order to better understand key challenges and barriers to service, as well as potential solutions.

On behalf of the LAHSA Commission, we invite you to please join us in sharing your thoughts and perspectives at one of the community listening sessions identified below. These meetings are open to all members of the public.

Friday, May 18 | 3:00-5:00 PM
James Wood Community Center
400 E 5th Street, Los Angeles
Click here to view the flyer.

Thursday, June 14 | 6:30-8:30 PM
Holman United Methodist Church, White Hall
3320 W Adams Boulevard, Los Angeles
Click here to view the flyer.

Additional listening sessions will be held in July, and dates, times, and locations for those sessions are forthcoming. Please share this information with your networks as well - all are welcome and encouraged to attend.