Housing Insecure in the Black Community

By: Marla A. Matime, Executive Director of the Cal Cities African American Caucus

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For far too long, African Americans and people of the African diaspora that migrate willingly to the United States for a better life, experience a higher risk in homelessness than any other ethnicity that make up the 7 ethnic groups within the U.S.  Oftentimes, people of color are ostracized, heavily discriminated against, and displaced due to activities such as gentrification, redlining, and gerrymandering.  These activities are nothing new; yet, year after year, communities of color continue to be pushed into areas that are dilapidated, rural, or worse, overrun with drug abuse and consistent crime. Additionally, the formerly incarcerated and our veteran population, lack access to housing due to significant restrictions, lack of funding, and support.

Census Data

According to the 2020 Census, there are 41,104,200, Black or African Americans in the United States.  Of that populace, Black or African Americans make up just over 2.2 million in California. So why is homelessness hitting African Americans more than any other ethnic group?  In Los Angeles alone, Black people make up only 8% of the population, yet an astonishing 34% of the homeless residents.  Much of this is due to the long history of systemic racism and discrimination, lack of resources or educational tools to access those resources, and other mental and behavioral health services.  

Viable Solutions

QuickHaven Transitional Shelters, offers a viable solution to address an immediate need for those who have found themselves without proper housing.  Cities can work with local community based organizations and county services to ensure that there is a pipeline of followup actions that would coalesce relationships of the housing insecure and the communities that they live, work, and play in. 

All elected leaders have a responsibility to work with and for the communities that they serve.  African American or Black leaders have a special obligation to ensure that the homelessness crisis is addressed, particularly as it pertains to people of color.  The African American Caucus is working diligently to build a strong foundational base of leaders and supporters that can work together to ensure our communities are safe, secure, and more importantly housed.

Visit www.calcitiesaacaucus.org to keep up with updates of events, news and information, as African American leaders work together to address and hopefully end homelessness in California.