The housing crisis in LA

We discussed the roots of the issue, in underproduction of affordable housing, rising wages that are not keeping pace with housing costs, zoning laws and gentrification.

People of color and immigrants are most affected by housing insecurity. The trauma of being unhoused was mentioned as a key factor leading to high rates of depression, substance use and physical abuse.

Some solutions that were proposed included shifting from corporate-controlled rental housing, tenant protection, fair housing policies and community land trusts.

We had some conversations on the value of providing housing without the condition of maintaining sobriety. Many members raised the issue of city officials removing unhoused individuals to maintain the appearance of a place. Some key questions raised were the issue of unhoused individuals using the emergency medical system as respite and the burden this creates on tax-payers.

A discussion of San Francisco brought attention to the problem of NIMBYism, and how unaffordable housing is a systemic issue.