The crisis is everywhere in Los Angeles. People are living on the corner, under the freeway, in vacant lots near your home. Homelessness is a problem that connects almost every mile of the city. Prop HHH is the solution.
Also known as the Homelessness Reduction and Prevention, Housing and Facilities Bond, Prop HHH is a $1.2 billion bond measure that will provide the funding and infrastructure necessary to end and prevent chronic homelessness in the City of Los Angeles.
I recently conducted a video interview with Marqueece Harris-Dawson, a Los Angeles City Councilmember, District 8. As Chair Councilmember of the Homelessness & Poverty Committee (H&P), Harris-Dawson co-authored Prop HHH with Vice-Chair Councilmember José Huizar.
According to Harris-Dawson, the city of Los Angeles has never dealt with homelessness in a strategic fashion. With Prop HHH, the city council now has a plan to end homelessness, not just manage it.
Prop HHH will provide funding for 10,000 units of Permanent Supportive Housing. These units will provide housing for all chronically homeless residents in the city. Homeless people are brought indoors and offered services including long-term mental healthcare and opportunities to become self-sufficient.
In addition, there are projects already in the pipeline waiting for funding. If voters support the bond on Nov. 8, these units can be completed within 18 to 24 months. Rehab projects such as converting old motels into housing will take roughly 90 days to complete. “We will get new units on right away in almost every part of the city,” Harris-Dawson said.
Prop HHH will result in roughly a $9 increase in property taxes for every $100,000 of assessed value. The average Los Angeles homeowner will have an increase of approximately $30 per year in property tax.
While Prop HHH does require an investment, there are also savings to be obtained. “Voters should know: we spend $857 million a year on homeless people now. If HHH passes, we believe we can cut that in half, maybe even more,” Harris-Dawson said.
Please VOTE YES on Proposition HHH to help create 10,000 supportive housing units for our homeless neighbors. Let’s implement this solution to end chronic homelessness in L.A. When you go to vote, find Prop HHH on page 29, which is the last page of the ballot.
To learn more about the Los Angeles homeless crisis and Prop HHH, follow #YesOnHHH on social media. For more information on Housing First and how supportive housing saves lives, please watch this short video. The video explains how supportive housing can save taxpayers money in the long run.
