Addressing a Crucial Healthcare Gap
September 16, 2022
by Maria S. Salinas
As a regional Chamber, we have closely monitored the impact the pandemic has had on our businesses but also our communities. The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) released its highly anticipated Point-In-Time Homeless Count last Thursday. L.A. County has not had this data available since 2020 due to the pandemic. The numbers released give us a better picture of how the community at large’s work has been effectively addressing homelessness. You can read the 2022 Greater LA Homeless Count report here.
We support and advocate the streamlining and construction of additional shelters, mental health facilities, and affordable housing. The L.A. Area Chamber believes in “A Thriving Region for All” and has worked to advance homelessness policies throughout the region and across the state. New data released from LAHSA’s count shows a rise in the persons experiencing homelessness – estimated to be a 4.1% increase in L.A. County and a 1.7% increase in the City of L.A., up from the 2020 data.
Recently, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 1338, called CARE (Community Assistance, Recovery, and Empowerment) Court. This bill is a monumental shift in the way government has approached providing services for people experiencing homelessness. SB 1338 creates a clear, systematic approach to providing behavioral health care, stabilization medication, and housing support. CARE plans will provide comprehensive support to individuals who lack medical decision-making capacity and are unable to adequately maintain their mental and physical health. This legislation ensures that care is transparent and consistent statewide, a major shortcoming of other homelessness proposals.
We applaud the Governor’s vision in the CARE Court Program framework and greatly appreciate the administration’s leadership.
The Chamber has been a strong advocate for long term solutions to address this crisis. CARE Court will now fill a crucial healthcare gap needed to provide wraparound services to those in need.
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