Sen. María Elena Durazo’s Statement on the 2019 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count

SACRAMENTO – California Senator María Elena Durazo (D-Los Ángeles) issued the following statement on the results of the 2019 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count:

“Homelessness is a chronic issue that requires massive local resources and services across all of California. In Los Angeles County, the number of people experiencing homelessness rose 12% from last year. These numbers are an overwhelming reminder that we must act more forcefully and comprehensively to end the homelessness epidemic.

I am very proud that the Senate budget plan provides critical state resources, including $2.5 billion for housing and homelessness investments. I will continue to fight for quality and affordable housing for all Californians.

However, as the numbers show, increasing rents and evictions must stop or dramatically slow down. Renters need relief or they will end up on the streets. I believe we must support a tenant’s right to organize when landlords are abusive or raise rents too high by protecting them from retaliatory eviction.

We need more focus on the eviction crisis and affordability crisis, including legislation that will

stop the most egregious rent hikes, and measures that would require landlords to show "just cause" — such as a failure to pay rent or a lease violation — before they could evict a renter. More than 40% of Californians are renters; they need these kind of tools to protect themselves.

With so many families living paycheck to paycheck, it is imperative we find ways to avoid homelessness for those at-risk and to achieve housing stability and self-sufficiency for those already affected.”

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