June 26, 2017

Latino homelessness surges in Los Angeles

National Institute for Latino Policy - Recent figures released by [Los Angeles] county show that Latino homelessness shot up by 63% in the past year, a staggering number in a county that saw its overall homeless population soar by 23%, despite increasing efforts to get people off the street.

Nearly every demographic, including youth, families and veterans, showed increases in homelessness, but Latinos delivered one of the sharpest rises, adding more than 7,000 people to the surge.

"I would say it's a whole new phenomenon," said County Supervisor Hilda Solis, whose district saw Latino homelessness go up by 84%. "We have to put it on the radar and really think outside the box when we consider how to help this population."

Homeless officials and outreach groups say Los Angeles' rising rents and stale wages are the main drivers pushing many out of their homes.

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