With a 90% success rate for keeping people stably housed, supportive housing has proven to be one of the most effective tools for combating homelessness. The integration of permanent affordable housing with onsite services creates an environment where tenants with a wide range of challenges or traumas can get back on their feet and succeed. That is why we developed the 222 Housing Pledge.
In March of 2018, L.A. City Council members unanimously pledged to support the development of at least 222 units of supportive housing in each of their districts by July 1, 2020. That is 3,330 units, at the time, one third of the city’s 10,000 unit goal. Not only did the pledge increase pressure to create much needed housing, it served as a reminder that there are people experiencing homelessness in every corner of L.A. and every district must do its part.
Of the fifteen Coucilmembers, nine of them achieved the goal: Gil Cedillo, Nury Martinez, Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Curren Price, Herb Wesson, Mike Bonin, Mitch O’Farrell, Jose Huizar and Joe Buscaino. Meanwhile Paul Krekorian, Bob Blumenfield, David Ryu, Paul Koretz, Monica Rodriguez, and John Lee (who replaced Mitch Englander) failed to achieve the goal, while some came closer than others.
While progress is certainly worth celebrating—more supportive housing has been approved in the 2016-2020 period than the previous three decades combined—it is imperative that we hold elected leaders accountable to their promises, and for their responsibility to each of their constituents, so many of whom are experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness. While this pledge has now concluded, we will continue to push for these needed supportive housing units across all L.A. council districts and the larger county.
