Affordable Housing: The Next Step In Ending Homelessness

By Amanda Perez and Molly Duenow

These days, it seems that there is little that people can agree upon. Even in an interwoven community like San Pedro, there exists an undeniable array of thoughts, opinions, and ideologies that the residents perpetuate. Yet in this division, there is still unity; many of these locals find themselves with employment through the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) in the Port of Los Angeles (POLA), which provides 150,000 jobs in the greater Los Angeles area according to the POLA website. In the not so distant past, the ILWU truly believed that “an injury to one is an injury to all,” yet the reality of that statement fails to come into practice locally when it comes to those experiencing homelessness in San Pedro.

San Pedro also consists of a staggering number of community members who are struggling to have their basic needs met. Los Angeles County data reports that the number of people experiencing homelessness in San Pedro is 622, which rose 24% from last year’s count of 501. In the last year, the San Pedro homeless population skyrocketed, and the sheltered population declined from 118 to 83 people, a 30% drop, suggesting that more people are experiencing unsheltered homelessness. So what can be done to help our struggling community members?

San Pedro is primarily addressing the issue of homelessness through the addition of county-funded temporary homeless shelters, with two opening this year. While this is an understandable and solid first step, the stumbling block is hiding in plain sight–“temporary.” Research continues to show that long-term housing assistance reduces homelessness and provides a much more cost-effective option as opposed to shelters and other institutional care. Long-term, affordable housing is not only the most promising option when it comes to both ending and preventing homelessness, but it is also an effective way to improve the community at large. A report released by Enterprise Community Partners, “Impact of Affordable Housing on Families and Communities: A Review of the Evidence Base,” highlights the many studies that show that affordable housing can actually increase property values and tax revenues and improve quality of health, education, and neighborhoods overall–all factors which impact economic mobility. With Los Angeles County recently taking the reigning title of least affordable market in the nation, improving economic mobility for all is crucial in mitigating homelessness. Long-term, affordable housing can help more people currently experiencing homelessness end the cycle, as well as reduce the likelihood that more at-risk families become homeless–which is especially important considering the upward trend in San Pedro’s homeless population. 

While there are plans in place to transform the long-time vacant San Pedro Courthouse into a mixed-use housing development, only 20% of the units will qualify as affordable housing units and the rest will remain market-rate housing units. If community members want to eliminate homelessness in San Pedro, more affordable housing is the most effective means to do so. Temporary homeless shelters can be solid safe havens for those experiencing homelessness while they work towards more permanent housing, but the fact remains that more affordable housing is the next essential step. Do not stand idly by. Now more than ever our voices are being heard, and you can use your voice to show your support for affordable housing in San Pedro. Attend a San Pedro Neighborhood Council Meeting. Advocate. Write to City Councilman Joe Buscaino, Mayor Eric Garcetti, and Governor Gavin Newsom about the need for federal support for affordable housing. Remind them that there are too many of your community members who are hurting and that “an injury to one, is an injury to all.” 

Amanda Perez is a San Pedro native and Master of Social Work candidate from the University of Southern California. Molly Duenow is a San Diego resident and Master of Social Work candidate from the University of Southern California.