I am a resident of West Covina, a city deeply affected by the homelessness crisis. I personally witness the struggles of our community members, those who are living unsheltered on our streets daily. It's heartbreaking and alarming.
Residents of West Covina deserve effective solutions to this crisis. However, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) appears to be far from reaching its goals. The Countywide 2020 Homeless count showed a 12.7% increase in people experiencing homelessness compared to the previous year, adding to the existing 66,433 homeless individuals in L.A. County, with a significant percentage in our locality (The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, 2020 Homeless Count).
It's clear LAHSA hasn't managed to tackle the escalating homelessness issue effectively. Thus, I am calling on our Mayor and City Council to push the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors to dismantle the LAHSA. We need to re-strategize, restructure and refocus our efforts to combat homelessness with improved efficiency and effectiveness.
Help us advocate for a more effective solution. Let's take a step towards a better West Covina, without the sight of our fellow citizens suffering on the streets. Sign the petition today.