Equality California brings the voices of LGBTQ + people and allies to institutions of power in California and across the United States, striving to create a world that is healthy, just, and fully equal for all LGBTQ+ people. We advance civil rights and social justice by inspiring, advocating, and mobilizing through an inclusive movement that works tirelessly on behalf of those we serve.
Equality California is made up of Equality California and Equality California Institute. Equality California is an I.R.S. 501(c)(4) organization that utilizes electoral, advocacy, and mobilization programs to achieve its mission. Equality California Institute is an I.R.S. 501 (c)(3) organization that utilizes advocacy, education, and mobilization programs to achieve its mission.
Community Perspectives on the Homelessness & Affordable Housing Crisis Facing LGBTQ+ People in California
2024 Virtual Forum and Regional Town Halls Summary Report
Thank You to Participants & Featured Speakers
We extend our appreciation to LGBTQ+ community members across California for their participation in the Virtual Forum and Regional Town Halls, and to the following people who were featured speakers at the events:
Assemblymember Chris Ward Chair, California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus
Kiel Lopez-Schmidt
Executive Director, South Tower Community Land Trust
Senator Scott Wiener Chair, Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee
Ariel Savage Development and External Affairs Manager, TruEvolution
John Erickson Councilmember, City of West Hollywood
Aisling Peterson
Housing and Resource Navigation Supervisor, Openhouse
Brad Sears
Founding Executive Director and Roberta A. Conroy Distinguished Scholar of Law and Policy, Williams Institute
Pedro Galvao
Strategic Initiatives and Policy Advisor, California Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency
Robert Avruch
Senior Program Officer, Housing Affordability, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
Introduction
In early 2024, several LGBTQ+ and housing organizations — Equality California, SAGE, the Los Angeles LGBT Center, Housing Now! California, and YIMBY Action — came together in partnership with the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus to identify priorities to better address the homelessness and affordable housing crisis facing LGBTQ+ people in California. Across the Golden State, home values and rents are among the most expensive in the nation, and more than half of the state’s renters spend 30% or more of their household income on housing.1 For members of the LGBTQ+ community, maintaining safe and affordable housing is an even greater challenge due to widespread stigma, discrimination, and other systemic barriers. These challenges will likely only intensify as LGBTQ+ people — especially transgender people — are experiencing increased hate, violence, and targeted political attacks in California and across the country.
This is undoubtedly a critical moment for LGBTQ+ and housing organizations to forge stronger partnerships and broaden engagement in housing policy discussions at the federal, state, and local levels. However, to effectively address this crisis, it is important to hear directly from LGBTQ+ community members to better understand their most pressing housing issues, challenges, hopes, and concerns. In late 2024, we convened a series of events to bring together LGBTQ+ organizations, housing partners, and community members to discuss the growing housing crisis and identify recommendations to ensure that LGBTQ+ people in California have access to healthy, stable, and affordable housing.
In September 2024, we convened a statewide LGBTQ+ Housing Virtual Forum with community leaders, advocates, elected officials, and government staff from across California. We then hosted three regional town halls in Fresno, San Francisco, and Los Angeles to hear directly from LGBTQ+ community members about their experiences, challenges, and recommendations to better meet the housing needs of the LGBTQ+ community. We are extremely grateful to the organizations and community members who participated in these events, and for their willingness to be vulnerable in sharing their deeply personal experiences.
This report provides a summary of the experiences, concerns, and ideas aggregated during this process. In the pages that follow you will find a high-level overview of themes that emerged from these events followed by a detailed summary of each regional town hall, including specific recommendations for policies and programs to better meet the housing needs of LGBTQ+ Californians. It is our hope that this report will provide guidance to elected officials, policymakers, and advocates as we work to address the homelessness and affordable housing crisis facing the LGBTQ+ community and continue our progress toward advancing full, lived equality for LGBTQ+ Californians. If you have any questions about the information contained in this report, please contact Equality California’s legislative team at legislation@eqca.org.
1Public Policy Institute of California. Californians and the Housing Crisis. Available at: https://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps
Executive Summary
The affordable housing crisis is affecting communities in every city and region across California. This struggle reaches across geographic and demographic boundaries, touching every community in the state. However, while the crisis may be impacting everyone, the LGBTQ+ community is confronted with unique challenges when it comes to finding healthy, stable, and affordable housing.
Affordable options are limited for everyone, but that supply is further reduced for LGBTQ+ individuals because members of the LGBTQ+ community must also find housing that is safe and affirming for their sexual orientation and/or gender identity. As one participant at our San Francisco Town Hall stated, “People are being forced to make the choice between living in an affirming place that is not affordable or an affordable place that is not affirming.”
Long-term, national, and statewide data on the housing needs and challenges facing the LGBTQ+ community are sparse compared to other communities. However, data shows that the community experiences higher rates of housing instability than their non-LGBTQ+ peers. Years of employment discrimination can result in lower retirement savings and Social Security income for older adults. Challenges accessing safe medical care can increase health risks, and with fewer connections to families of origin, LGBTQ+ people are at increased risk for social isolation. Without savings, confronted with higher-than-average medical bills, and lacking younger family members to fall back on for support as they age, the risk of housing instability increases for the LGBTQ+ community across the age spectrum. These factors have led to troubling experiences for the LGBTQ+ community when it comes to housing:
ɖ According to representative data from 35 states, nearly half (49.8%) of LGBTQ+ adults own their homes, compared to 70.1% of non-LGBTQ+ adults.2
ɖ In a matched-pair test across 10 ten states, 48% of same-sex couples experienced adverse treatment when seeking senior housing.3
ɖ 34% of older LGBTQ+ people worry they will have to hide their identity in senior housing.4
ɖ Nearly one-third (30%) of transgender people report having experienced homelessness in their lifetime.5
ɖ Between 20% and 45% of homeless youth identify as LGBTQ+, at least 2 to 4 times more than the estimated percentage of all youth who identify as LGBTQ+.6
The stories and experiences we heard from participants in the Virtual Forum and Town Halls echoed these concerns. Participants discussed common concerns on rising rental costs, insufficient funding to develop new affordable housing or support existing services, and the impact gentrification has had on once affordable and diverse neighborhoods. Many also discussed the financial and structural barriers that prevent them from
2 Williams Institute. LGBT People and Housing Affordability, Discrimination, and Homelessness. Available at: https://williamsinstitute. law.ucla.edu/publications/lgbt-housing-instability/
3 The Equal Rights Center. Opening Doors: An Investigation of Barriers to Senior Housing for Same-Sex Couples. Available at: https:// equalrightscenter.org/wp-content/uploads/senior_housing_report.pdf
4 AARP. Maintaining Dignity: A Survey of LGBT Adults Age 45 and Older. Available at: https://www.aarp.org/pri/topics/aging-experience/ demographics/maintaining-dignity-lgbt/#:~:text=Three%20out%20of%20four%20adults,and%20friends%20as%20they%20age
5 National Center for Transgender Equality. Early Insights: A Report of the 2022 U.S. Transgender Survey. Available at: https:// ustranssurvey.org/report/jobs-housing/
6 Williams Institute. LGBT People and Housing Affordability, Discrimination, and Homelessness. Available at: https://williamsinstitute. law.ucla.edu/publications/lgbt-housing-instability/
accessing housing, such as discrimination against renters and a lack of financial support systems that understand the needs of the LGBTQ+ community. Participants shared the fear they feel when searching for housing and living in communities that do not embrace the experiences and identities of their residents.
Finding Safe and Affordable Housing in a Hostile World
As the LGBTQ+ community works to confront both affordability and safety in housing, community members must also confront other issues often out of their control. At a time when support and resources from the local, state, and federal governments are needed most, it can appear that we are losing progress. It was only four years ago that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under President Joe Biden took the historic step to expand the protections of the federal Fair Housing Act to members of the LGBTQ+ community. Although California expanded housing protections for the LGBTQ+ community over two decades ago, there are still 27 states and 4 territories that do not have laws explicitly prohibiting housing discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity.7
Unfortunately, progress for the LGBTQ+ community is likely to stall and be reversed under the Trump-Vance administration. Key figures chosen to lead the federal government have publicly supported calls to rollback and eliminate federal housing protections for the LGBTQ+ community. Federal funding that serves as a vital lifeline for countless housing projects and homeless services across the country also face significant funding cuts. This is leading to a rising fear that more LGBTQ+ people may feel forced to hide their sexual orientation and/or gender identity when searching for housing. Without action by allies in the housing sector, advocates, and elected officials, the tragedy of LGBTQ+ people being forced to ‘go back in the closet’ will likely increase.
Existing Housing Services and Supports for the LGBTQ+ Community
The fight for affordable and affirming housing for the LGBTQ+ community may seem daunting at times, but there are some existing policies and programs created to serve the community.
Fair Housing Protections: It is currently a violation of federal fair housing regulations to deny housing based on a person’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity. While that could change depending on the federal administration, California’s state anti-discrimination laws will remain in place. The California Fair Employment and Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, as well as against people with HIV/AIDS or people perceived to have HIV/AIDS. Supported with state funds, a network of fair housing organizations educate, promote, and test for patterns of violations. The California Civil Rights Department is charged with investigating and enforcing these rights when a complaint is filed.
California Programs and Services: In California, there are several vital programs designed to address the housing needs of state residents. However, most of these programs are vastly underfunded and without permanent sources of funding that can provide stability, limiting their potential impact and reach. Also, as in many other states, many programs are only eligible to people or households that qualify as low-income, usually 80% or below of a county’s median income. California’s significant income variation coupled with some of the highest median household incomes in the United States, means that the lowest income people in our counties could be competing for access to housing or services with relatively high-income earning households. For example, a family of four in Santa Clara County can make $147,440 a year and still be considered low-income.
While many of these programs may be limited in their scope and were not designed to specifically meet the needs of LGBTQ+ people, they serve as vital resources for the community. The Homeless Housing, Assistance 7 Movement Advancement Project. Equality Maps: State Nondiscrimination Laws. Available at: https:// www.lgbtmap.org/equalitymaps/non_discrimination_laws
and Prevention (HHAP) Program funds housing and services for Californians experiencing homelessness or those at risk of becoming homeless. The state also provides funds through the State Bar to a network of legal aid organizations across the state that use the court system to help keep Californians stably housed, defending against unlawful rent increases or unjust evictions. Several state programs provide subsidies for affordable housing development, critically supplementing local, federal, and private sources. The recent establishment of the California Crime Victims Fund brings long-term stability to services like emergency shelters for Californians fleeing domestic violence, after drastic declines in federal funding over the past several years. Californians eligible for Medi-Cal, the state’s Medicaid program that covers a variety of health care services for children and adults with limited income and resources, may have access to a new set of 14 services called Community Supports, that can include housing deposits and services to help people remain stably housed. Finally, 2-1-1 is a free telephone number providing access to local community information and services, including housing assistance. Currently, the 2-1-1 dialing service operates in 53 counties, covering 99.3% of California’s population.
Federal Programs and Services: On the federal level, programs are designed to largely support state and locally administered housing through grants and loans. For example, the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program provides grants to local communities, states, and nonprofit organizations for projects that benefit low-income people living with HIV/AIDS and their families. In California, HOPWA funding is administered by the state Department of Public Health. Federal funds for homelessness housing and services are divided among state agencies and counties. Developers of affordable housing also rely on federal programs that provide funding for the construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation of units. More broadly targeted, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development oversees the housing choice voucher program, commonly known as Section 8, which is the federal government’s major program helping people afford housing. Housing choice vouchers are administered locally by public housing agencies (PHAs), which serve as key partners in providing housing support programs and services. These programs and services are also underfunded and oversubscribed.
LGBTQ+ Affirming Housing: One housing intervention for the LGBTQ+ community is the creation of LGBTQ+affirming affordable housing. Due to funding opportunities, this has largely focused on older adults. The goal of this housing model is to create inclusive communities where any sexual orientation and gender identity is embraced, and diversity is celebrated, focusing on creating LGBTQ+-affirming and inclusive environments with LGBTQ+ culturally competent staff and LGBTQ+ focused programming. Although the development of new affordable housing is expensive and complicated, often taking years to even get started, there have been a number of successful examples of affirming LGBTQ+ elder housing developed in California. Through the use of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, a federal financing program with a California state counterpart, LGBTQ+ community centers and nonprofits have been able to partner with supportive housing developers to build LGBTQ+-affirming and affordable elder housing in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, and San Diego.
Recommendations
Specific policy and resources are required to fully address the housing needs of the LGBTQ+ community and create inclusive housing no matter where a person chooses to live. The fight to expand LGBTQ+-affirming and affordable housing on the federal level will focus on preserving the important gains that have been made in recent years, but on the state level we have an opportunity to expand and improve access. Based on feedback from participants in the Fresno, San Francisco, and Los Angeles Town Halls, as well as the statewide Virtual Forum, we believe the following recommendations will help expand access to safe and affirming affordable housing for the LGBTQ+ community in California.
Inclusive Education & Outreach
ɖ Create Targeted LGBTQ+ Resources and Programs on Accessing Housing Support Services: Navigating different agencies, grants, service providers, and eligibility criteria is extremely complicated. This is true for all people facing a housing crisis, and for many in the LGBTQ+ community who harbor a mistrust of government. The best way to reach LGBTQ+ peoples is by partnering with the local LGBTQ+ service providers they trust. Support should be provided for LGBTQ+ nonprofits to offer workshops on navigating the housing application process, improving credit scores, preparing for a mortgage, and accessing financial support services. Beyond that, funding options should be explored to support housing counselors within LGBTQ+ community centers.
ɖ Create Resource Center for LGBTQ+ Housing Services: Hand-in-hand with targeted outreach, it must be made easier to search for affirming housing and housing resources. Community-led initiatives such as “Juanita’s List,” which is a mutual support network for queer housing, should be supported and expanded to a statewide level. Along with providing a central listing of affirming housing, this resource center can serve as a hub for resources and technical assistance such as cultural competency training, help connect housing and LGBTQ+ advocacy priorities, and provide a database of LGBTQ+ organizations that offer cultural competency training and/or housing services.
Expanding Legal & Consumer Protections
ɖ Strengthen Rent Control: As rent prices continue to rise for both established residents and people looking to move into affirming housing, efforts to preserve affordable rent are more important than ever. The difficulty of finding housing that is both affordable and affirming for the LGBTQ+ community makes it that much more devastating when they are priced out of a home they knew to be safe.
ɖ Expand and Strengthen Tenant Protections: Existing non-discrimination laws tend to focus on the relationship between the landlord and tenant. However, more clarification and support are needed around tenant-on-tenant discrimination, as well as protections and resources for subtenants, co-leasers, or those in shared housing arrangements. More broadly, renters should have the same level of consumer protections as homeowners.
Creating & Strengthening LGBTQ+ Affirming Services and Housing
ɖ Fund LGBTQ+ Cultural Competency Training for Service Providers: LGBTQ+ cultural competency training has helped service providers across the country create more inclusive programs that better serve the LGBTQ+ community, and create a more affirming work environment. Funding should be allocated to support LGBTQ+ organizations that provide cultural competency training so they can help expand the number of providers that are trained in LGBTQ+ competent services.
ɖ Mandate LGBTQ+ Cultural Competency Training for Housing Service Providers: Housing providers who receive state and local funding should be required to complete regular LGBTQ+ cultural competency training for their leadership and staff. It is important, however, that any mandate is backed up by funding to support the LGBTQ+ organizations which will develop, train, and certify the providers.
ɖ Increase Investment in New LGBTQ+ Affirming Housing: State and local investment in LGBTQ+ housing is needed, particularly for those living with HIV/AIDS, youth, seniors, and transgender people. New affordable housing developments created to specifically meet the needs of the LGBTQ+ community have proven successful in providing housing that is welcoming and affirming for everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. While new funding streams may be difficult to obtain, more opportunities could be created by increasing incentives to develop LGBTQ+-affirming housing through existing programs such as the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and through alternative models currently being studied, like social housing, which aims to provide permanent affordability and give residents the right to participate directly and meaningfully in decision making affecting the operation and management of the housing units in which they reside.
ɖ Support Existing LGBTQ+ Community-Led Housing Efforts: For years, funding and resources to support LGBTQ+ housing has flowed through traditional housing providers. There are many LGBTQ+led organizations that have found ways to create housing models that meet the needs of their diverse communities, but that may not have fallen under the strict definitions of what qualifies as conventional housing models. Regulations should be updated to open more housing funding for LGBTQ+-led housing providers, and expand the state’s understanding of what it means to provide affirming housing, including supporting more communal living options that embrace queer family formations.
ɖ Create Inclusive Caregiver Support Programs: Access to the right caregiver can allow people to age in the homes and communities of their choice and support the vital work of the caregiver, but policy needs to ensure that the LGBTQ+ community is represented. Rules regulating family caregivers must allow for the diverse understanding and importance of chosen families in the LGBTQ+ community, especially since many may have been disconnected from their traditional family. Equally important is ensuring that professional caregivers are provided the tools and training to understand how to meet the needs of their LGBTQ+ clients.
Improving Data Collection
ɖ Improve Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Data Collection: Data Collection is critical when seeking funding for housing programs and services. Unfortunately, the LGBTQ+ community has been ignored over the previous decades when it comes to data collection. As long as steps are taken to ensure privacy, SOGI data should be voluntarily gathered when other demographic data is being collected.
Fresno
Local Context8:
ɖ 35,188 low-income renter households in Fresno County do not have access to an affordable home.
ɖ State and federal funding for housing production and preservation in Fresno County is $270 million, a 21% decrease from the year prior.
ɖ In 2023 in Fresno County, there were only 2,616 beds available in the interim and permanent housing supply for persons experiencing homelessness.
ɖ Renters in Fresno County need to earn $25.96 per hour — 1.6 times the state minimum wage — to afford the average monthly asking rent of $1,350.
ɖ 83% of extremely low-income (ELI) households in Fresno County are paying more than half of their income on housing costs compared to 4% of moderate-income households.
Key Themes:
1. Housing Instability for LGBTQ+ Youth and Seniors: LGBTQ+ seniors worry about being able to afford the high costs of living while being reliant on Social Security, which often doesn’t cover all necessities. LGBTQ+ youth in the region feel as though securing affordable housing in an affirming area is impossible due to the high costs associated with renting and application processes for housing.
2. Affordability and Availability: Fresno residents are experiencing a housing shortage, with little to no affordable options available. Attendees expressed challenges with looking for housing in areas they knew were LGBTQ+-affirming because the costs associated with living in those regions are significantly higher than in other neighborhoods. Residents are being forced to choose between living somewhere safe or living somewhere affordable. Even participants who can afford monthly rent report additional barriers to housing, including rental application fees, security deposits, and salary requirements.
3. Community-Created and Supported Housing: Difficulties maintaining stable housing as renters was a top concern. Many attendees feel as though stable housing must include a sense of community and
8 California Housing Partnership. Fresno County 2024 Affordable Housing Needs Report. Available at: https://chpc.net/wp-content/ uploads/2024/05/Fresno_Housing_Report.pdf
belonging within their neighborhoods. Many attendees stressed the need for community-oriented housing solutions that go beyond simply providing a physical space.
4. Structural Barriers and Inequality: Many LGBTQ+ peoples face financial and educational barriers that prevent them from accessing housing. This includes discrimination against renters and a lack of financial support systems, such as credit-building resources and housing subsidies. Multiple attendees recounted looking for housing assistance on local government and nonprofit housing resource websites and finding outdated and inaccurate information.
5. Lack of Representation in Local Government: LGBTQ+ residents feel as though they are not being represented in local government, as members of the LGBTQ+ community and as low-income residents and renters. Attendees agreed that with more representation and first-hand understanding of the current housing landscape from elected officials, local governments would be more willing to pass housing policy that specifically supports LGBTQ+ people.
Recommendations:
1. Education and Support Services: LGBTQ+ residents need more opportunities to receive education and training, including processes to apply for government assistance, credit repair workshops, and how-to guides on completing rental applications.
2. Updates on Current Housing Resources: Residents would like to be regularly updated about current affordable housing opportunities, assistance programs, and receive hands-on training about how to apply for these programs.
3. Fact-Checking Local “Community Resource” Pages: Many residents would like local nonprofits and government agencies to work on updating websites and removing old information from their “community resource” pages, as many of the listings for affordable housing and housing assistance are outdated or inaccurate.
4. Home Ownership Education: Residents who have never owned property expressed the need for education surrounding the process of home ownership, including the prerequisites for getting a mortgage.
5. Supporting LGBTQ+ Affirming Neighborhoods: Funding to improve housing in local LGBTQ+affirming communities (“gayborhoods”) and support existing infrastructure for LGBTQ+ residents, including expanding local services to support elders and youth in these neighborhoods as they progress into new living situations.
6. Rent Control: Attendees expressed the desire for rent caps on existing housing, as rent prices continue to climb for established residents and people looking to move into affirming housing.
San Francisco
Local Context9:
ɖ 17,565 low-income renter households in San Francisco County do not have access to an affordable home.
ɖ State and federal funding for housing production and preservation in San Francisco County is $550 million, a 28% decrease from the year prior.
ɖ In 2023 in San Francisco County, there were only 5,896 beds available in the interim and permanent housing supply for persons experiencing homelessness.
ɖ Renters in San Francisco County need to earn $68.56 per hour — 3.8 times the City of San Francisco minimum wage — to afford the average monthly asking rent of $3,565.
ɖ 52% of extremely low-income (ELI) households in San Francisco County are paying more than half of their income on housing costs compared to 3% of moderate-income households.
Key Themes:
1. Housing Instability for LGBTQ+ Youth and Seniors: Disproportionate challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth and seniors, particularly transgender people of color. LGBTQ+ seniors, especially, worry about being forced back “into the closet” to secure housing and services.
2. Housing Challenges for People with HIV/AIDS: While federal programs like Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) provide some support, additional state and local investments are needed. It will be impossible to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic without addressing the housing crisis.
3. Affordability and Availability: There is a critical need for affordable, LGBTQ+-affirming housing, especially in areas undergoing gentrification. Many LGBTQ+ people are priced out of their communities or forced into unstable living situations, such as subletting or informal housing.
4. Supportive and Social Housing: Social connections and support networks were highlighted as crucial for maintaining stability. Many attendees stressed the need for community-oriented housing solutions that go beyond simply providing a physical space.
9 California Housing Partnership. San Francisco 2024 Affordable Housing Needs Report. Available at: https://chpc.net/wp-content/ uploads/2024/05/San-Francisco_Housing_Report.pdf
5. Structural Barriers and Inequality: Many LGBTQ+ people face financial and educational barriers that prevent them from accessing housing. This includes discrimination against renters and a lack of financial support systems, such as credit-building resources and housing subsidies.
6. Community Resilience: LGBTQ+ housing challenges are rooted in broader social issues of gentrification, community displacement, and the erosion of historically LGBTQ+ neighborhoods (“gayborhoods”). A recurring theme was the importance of creating housing solutions that foster community resilience and inclusivity.
Recommendations:
1. Increased Funding for LGBTQ+ Affirming Housing: More state and local investment in LGBTQ+affirming housing initiatives is needed, particularly for those living with HIV/AIDS, youth, seniors, and transgender people.
2. Expansion of LGBTQ+-Affirming Senior Housing: There was a call to build more LGBTQ+affirming senior housing, in particular, to ensure that elders can age with dignity and not face housing discrimination.
3. Affirmative Marketing for LGBTQ+ Housing: Affirmative marketing can be an effective way to bring diverse and inclusive tenants into existing LGBTQ+-affirming housing programs.
4. Tenant Protections: Strengthening tenant protections, especially for subtenants and co-leasers, was emphasized. Attendees discussed the need for clearer policies to prevent exploitation within shared housing arrangements.
5. Workshops and Support Services: LGBTQ+ nonprofits should offer workshops on navigating the housing application process, improving credit scores, and accessing financial support services.
6. Community-Led Mutual Aid Efforts: Expanding community-led initiatives like “Juanita’s List,” a mutual support network for queer housing, to a statewide level was suggested as a way to provide immediate support for housing-insecure LGBTQ+ people.
7. Inclusive Housing Policy and Planning: There was a call for policies that integrate caregiving support, environmental considerations, and intergenerational housing solutions that accommodate the needs of both caregivers and elders.
Los Angeles
Local Context10:
ɖ 494,446 low-income renter households in Los Angeles County do not have access to an affordable home.
ɖ State and federal funding for housing production and preservation in Los Angeles County is $2 billion, a 45% decrease from the year prior.
ɖ In 2023 in Los Angeles County, there were only 39,752 beds available in the interim and permanent housing supply for persons experiencing homelessness.
ɖ Renters in Los Angeles County need to earn $48.04 per hour — 2.9 times the City of Los Angeles minimum wage — to afford the average monthly asking rent of $2,498.
ɖ 77% of extremely low-income (ELI) households in Los Angeles County are paying more than half of their income on housing costs compared to 3% of moderate-income households.
Key Themes:
1. Safety: Community members shared that safety has been a main concern when seeking temporary and/ or permanent housing. Specifically, LGBTQ+ people have been placed in temporary and/or permanent housing that is not affirming of their identities.
2. Cultural Competency: Community members talked about working with service providers who have not been properly trained and/or have no experience working with the LGBTQ+ community. Participants talked about feeling unsafe and uncomfortable in their interactions with certain providers and having experienced being misgendered, which can lead to people not continuing critical housing services.
3. Funding: Housing providers have experienced funding cuts to their housing programs, which have a significant impact on their clients and the types of services provided. This has also affected staffing, especially when positions are eliminated and not replaced.
4. Affordability and Availability: Community members expressed their frustration when it comes to seeking affordable housing. Housing availability has been a significant concern due to lack of LGBTQ+affirming housing, particularly for seniors.
5. Accessibility: Accessibility was another concern brought up by people with disabilities, as they have challenges finding housing that can accommodate their disability needs. In addition, lack of adequate 10California Housing Partnership. Los Angeles 2024 Affordable Housing Needs Report. Available at: https://chpc.net/wp-content/ uploads/2024/05/Los-Angeles_Housing_Report.pdf
public transportation to take clients to multiple organizations to access housing services has been a significant barrier for some community members.
6. Staffing Changes and Capacity: Several agencies that provide services have experienced high turnover rates. Community members expressed that staff changes and turnover greatly affected the quality and continuity of care for housing services.
7. Structural Barriers and Inequity: Many LGBTQ+ people face financial and structural barriers that prevent them from accessing housing, including discrimination and a lack of financial support systems such as credit-building resources and housing subsidies. In addition, many have concerns about outdated information on provider websites and challenges with eligibility criteria for specific programs and services.
Recommendations:
1. Cultural Competency Training for Service Providers: Providers working with LGBTQ+ clients should be required to offer cultural competency training for their staff as part of their onboarding or ongoing professional development.
2. Expand Housing Programs for the LGBTQ+ Community: Expanding existing programs to provide safe and affirming housing for LGBTQ+ people is critically important, as many people expressed not feeling safe or affirmed in their current housing situation.
3. Central Hub for LGBTQ+ Housing Services: Community members shared challenges associated with navigating Los Angeles and having to run from one appointment to another, including not having reliable transportation. Having a centralized hub for housing service providers and community members to come together can help to alleviate these challenges.
4. Community Outreach and Education: Many people expressed not receiving up-to-date information about specific programs and eligibility criteria on provider websites. There is a need to improve outreach and education for community members to receive information about housing services, programs, and eligibility criteria. This also includes updating outreach materials and websites with accurate and up-to-date information.
5. Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Data Collection: Data Collection for the LGBTQ+ community is critical when seeking additional funding for housing programs and services.
Acknowledgments
We extend our appreciation to the following people and organizations for their contributions to this project:
Josh Dubensky, SAGE USA
Francisco Dueñas, Housing NOW! California
Laura Foote, YIMBY Action
Jane Natoli, YIMBY Action
Craig Pulsipher, Equality California
Abby Lawlor, Equality California
Beatriz Baez, Equality California
Kiera Kaiser, Equality California
Veejay Atilano, Equality California
Wendy Anguiano, Equality California
Natalia Garcia, California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus
