The impact and effects of homelessness are not lost on Los Angeles community and are steadily on the rise. Areas such as South LA (also known as South Central), Downtown LA’s Skid Row, Koreatown, and even more affluent areas such as Baldwin Hills and Beverly Hills; encampments and seeing people struggle, in pure destitution on a daily basis, have become a part of LA life.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Annual Homelessness Assessment Report estimated the United States saw an 18.1% increase in homelessness in 2024, driven by what seems to be a forlorn housing and economic crisis.
Political figures such as Maxine Waters are hoping to guide the greater Los Angeles community in the right direction.
“I am deeply disappointed to learn that more than 770,000 people are experiencing homelessness on any given night in the United States—an alarming increase of 120,000 since 2023. Sadly, we know exactly how we got here,” said Waters in a statement. “For decades, a lack of investment in affordable housing has forced countless families out of their homes and onto the streets. This is a crisis in every county and city across America, whether they be rural, urban, or suburban communities.
The pandemic also played a pivotal role in today’s current landscape of homelessness in Los Angeles. A rent moratorium was established at the height of the pandemic, providing relief for individuals and families — across racial and economic lines — from homelessness. A historical federal eviction moratorium was achieved by committee Democrats through funds from the CARES Act, the American Rescue Plan Act, and more various pandemic legislation; yet, the money has depleted.
A few days ahead of the new year, Waters issued a statement calling on Congress to take more action.
“That’s why I am calling on Congress to immediately pass my housing bills, including the Housing Crisis Response Act, the Ending Homelessness Act, and the Downpayment Toward Equity Act.”s
A deeper scope into the meaning of each bill is as follows:
The Housing Crisis Response Act, which represents the housing investments that were previously included in the Build Back Better Act, would invest more than $150 billion in fair and affordable housing investments to create nearly 1.4 million affordable and accessible homes, reduce housing costs for all, and help address stubborn core inflation.
The Ending Homelessness Act, which would end homelessness and significantly reduce poverty by transforming the Housing Choice Voucher program into a federal entitlement so that every household that qualifies for assistance receives it; and The Downpayment Toward Equity Act, which would help revive the dream of homeownership for all by providing $100 billion in direct assistance to help first-time, first-generation homebuyers cover downpayments, closing costs, and buydown mortgage interest rates.
Waters’ said that these bills will revive people’s dreams of homeownership during a time period in which it poses as an impossible feat for many.
In the statement to Congress, Waters also mentioned Republicans’ plans to cut taxes for wealthy Americans and how this further puts working-class folks and people who already experience homelessness at further risk.
“Unfortunately, after spending two years trying to defund critical housing programs, Republicans are set to kick off the next Congress by cutting taxes for the rich—likely at the expense of housing and other critical programs. Meanwhile, ‘co-President’ Elon Musk, who has relentlessly dehumanized people experiencing homelessness, is already plotting to slash government programs through the incoming Department of Government Efficiency initiative, with housing likely at the top of the list,” said Waters.
“As usual, Republicans have spent more time blaming people experiencing homelessness than working to find solutions. Democrats, however, have real solutions.”