LABC Institute Homelessness Survey
Poll finds L.A. voters rate homelessness as the most serious problem facing Los Angeles.
A Survey of L.A. Voters Found…
%
view homelessness as a serious problem.
Only 1/3 think L.A. County is moving in the right direction.
%
call homelessness an “emergency situation” requiring a break with longstanding practices to solve.
Nationally prominent pollster Hart Research Associates conducted a telephone survey for the LABC Institute from October 15 to 22, 2019. The survey included 901 voters in Los Angeles County with an overall margin of error of ±3.3 percentage points.
Audio Recording of Nov. 20, 2019 Conference Call Led by Hart Research on Poll Results
LABC President Mary Leslie on the origins of the poll, its solution-oriented focus, and policy implications for the future.
Homelessness is the number-one issue for L.A. County Voters
Very Serious Problem
Serious Problem
Over half of respondents reported that homelessness affects them either directly or indirectly.
Directly
Indirectly
Problems in the region, but does not affect me personally
Over 1/3rd of respondents reported that either they or someone they know experienced homelessness or housing insecurity in the past year.
Respondents that have experienced housing insecurity in the past year
Respondents that know someone who has experienced housing insecurity in the past year
Respondents that do not know someone who has experienced housing insecurity in the past year
Almost half of respondents reported that they believe homelessness is primarily a result of a lack of affordable housing and wages that aren’t keeping up with the cost of living.
%
Individual Actions and Decisions
%
Lack of Affordable Housing and Wages
%
Some of Both
While most voters do not believe HHH and H funds are effective, just a quarter want to end future anti-homelessness funding.
Establishing a legal right to shelter was supported by a majority of respondents.
%
Support Enacting a Right to Shelter Law in California
When presented with the trade-offs (e.g., long-term housing takes much longer vs. short-term housing doesn’t solve the long-term problem), voters are split (39% to 39%) on solutions.
A Closer Look at Proposed Solutions
Favor permanent alternative housing, such as apartments built out of modular units, tiny houses, or trailers
Favor using emergency relief tents, like those used by the Red Cross and FEMA
Favor using "Community Cabins," as temporary housing
Favor providing public bathrooms and showers to support homeless residents
Favor opening up National Guard armories and other public property
Favor allowing the conversion of single-family homes to dorm-style housing
Favor using emergency relief tents, like those used by the Red Cross and FEMA
Favor allowing the conversion of single-family homes to dorm-style housing
Favor permanent alternative housing, such as apartments built out of modular units, tiny houses, or trailers
Favor using "Community Cabins," as temporary housing
Favor providing public bathrooms and showers to support homeless residents
Favor opening up National Guard armories and other public property
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