Los Angeles homeless services officials have taken up a challenge to place 100 homeless youth in housing over 100 days, it was announced today.
The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority will take part in the “A Way Home America” initiative to find “safe and stable” places to live for 100 young people who have no permanent home, as part of a 100-day challenge beginning Sept. 7.
Officials in the Austin and Cleveland areas have so far also adopted the goal, with all three areas receiving help from the nonprofit Rapid Results Institute.
LAHSA’s homeless count puts the number of youth living on the streets, or who only have temporary shelter, at 3,540 in the Los Angeles County area minus Long Beach, Pasadena and Glendale, which are not included in the agency’s coverage area.
The challenge is aimed at jump-starting efforts to combat youth homelessness, according to LAHSA Executive Director Peter Lynn.
“LAHSA has expanded its commitment to connect all homeless youth to safe and stable housing, efforts that have been bolstered by the implementation of city and county homelessness strategies,” Lynn said. “The AWHA (A Way Home America) initiative will help us build on regional momentum to end youth homelessness.”
