The CHIPTS Combination Prevention Core recently hosted a three-session virtual series titled “Why Is It So Hard to Get People Housed in Los Angeles County?” to address the housing crisis and its intersection with the HIV epidemic in Los Angeles (LA) County. Throughout the series, expert panelists were invited to share insights and engage participants in discussion on the current housing climate in LA County, harm reduction services, and housing policies that impact the unhoused.
The Combination Prevention Core aimed to feature a diverse set of panelists who represented government, community-based organization, and service provider perspectives to introduce different approaches, policies, and practices related to housing. Across the three sessions, 10 expert panelists and approximately 350 attendees participated, including social services providers, HIV providers, mental health and substance use providers, academic researchers, and others interested in addressing housing in LA County. Learn more about each session and access the session recordings below.
Session 1: November 17, 2022 – Specific Challenges for Those Living with HIV and/or Substance Use and/or Mental Health Disorders
The objectives of this session were to: 1) provide an overview of the current housing system in LA County, (2) understand the challenges that exacerbate the housing crisis particularly among individuals living with HIV and/or substance use and/or mental health disorders, and (3) examine opportunities and current best practices for addressing the housing crisis.
Featured panelists included:
- Adam Murray, MA, JD, Chief Executive Officer, Inner City Law Center
- Stacie Washington, MA, MFT, Program Director, The Salvation Army-California South Division
- Victor Hinderliter, Director of Street Based Engagement and Mobile Clinics, Housing for Health / Rancho Los Amigos, LA County Department of Health Services
View recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4PUSXEztOk
Session 2: June 14, 2023 – Exploring Harm Reduction Strategies for Those Experiencing Homelessness and Living with HIV and/or Substance Use and/or Mental Health Disorders
The objectives of this session were to: (1) provide an overview of the current harm reduction services in Los Angeles County, (2) better understand the challenges of those experiencing homelessness and living with HIV and/or substance use and/or mental health disorders, and (3) share best practices and innovative harm reduction service delivery options and opportunities for implementation.
Featured panelists included:
- Elham Jalayer, BS, Harm Reduction Program Manager, Bienestar Human Services
- Ricky Rosales, AIDS Coordinator, City of Los Angeles Department on Disability
- Soma Snakeoil, Executive Director/Cofounder, The Sidewalk Project
View recording: https://youtu.be/ncT1JGRFcEc
Session 3: February 7, 2024 – Innovative Housing Policies and Best Practices
The objectives of this session were to: (1) provide an overview of the current housing policies in Los Angeles County and other cities, (2) understand the major policy obstacles to getting people housed, and (3) share innovative policy changes that have improved access to housing and highlight best practices from various jurisdictions.
Featured panelists included:
- Aileen Reynolds, BS, Assistant Commissioner of Housing Opportunity, NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development
- Annetta Wells, BA, Senior Director, Inside Safe, Los Angeles Mayor’s Office
- Jane Hamilton, PhD, MPH, LCSW-S, Associate Professor of Psychiatry, McGovern Medical School
- Lisa Daugaard, JD, Co-Executive Director, Purpose Dignity Action (PDA)
View recording: https://youtu.be/rM_U32t_6yg