California, one of the wealthiest states in the US and the 5th largest economy in the world, is also home to the largest population of unhoused people. The urgency of this crisis cannot be overstated. One in five unhoused people in this country are in California. We need immediate and long-term solutions to homelessness. Homelessness is closely linked to human trafficking. Those who are homeless are often at risk of being trafficked, and experiencing trafficking can lead to homelessness. This is one of the reasons Cast supports Measure A, which aims to increase affordable housing and tackle homelessness. 

This summer, the Supreme Court decision in Johnson v. Grants Pass allowed cities to criminalize homelessness. This decision, coupled with an executive order in California that permitted state and local agencies to forcibly move homeless encampments by clearing them from state land, has effectively made homelessness a crime. These rulings have exacerbated the already dire situation of homelessness in California.

Many factors contribute to homelessness, including poverty, stagnant wages, lack of affordable housing, domestic violence, addiction, and lack of access to physical and mental health services. However, it’s crucial to understand that homelessness and human trafficking are not isolated issues. They are deeply interconnected. From January 2023 to October 2024, 100% of Cast’s new clients who shared their housing status were homeless at the time of intake. During this period, Cast provided 742 referrals to emergency shelters or temporary hotel placements, emphasizing the urgent need for comprehensive solutions such as Measure A.

The danger of these rulings cannot be overestimated, especially when safe, affordable housing is incredibly scarce. It’s important to remember that people experiencing homelessness are often experiencing multiple forms of oppression and trauma. Accessing affordable housing is even more difficult for members of marginalized communities facing various forms of oppression.BIPOC communities are at a higher risk of homelessness due to a history of systemic racism, which includes housing discrimination, redlining, and segregation. These issues are compounded by job discrimination that leads to lower income levels. LGBTQ+ youth and individuals fleeing domestic violence are more vulnerable to homelessness and economic instability. Even more disturbing, many people face discrimination and exclusion from housing because they have previously experienced homelessness.

While there have been measures to increase housing, there is nowhere near enough affordable housing or shelter beds available for unhoused people in California. Criminalizing homelessness when no safe shelter options are available effectively creates a homelessness-to-prison pipeline.

Human traffickers prey upon desperate and vulnerable people, often targeting unhoused people. They claim to offer a safe place to stay and support but only deliver abuse and exploitation. Not only is homelessness a significant risk factor for being trafficked, but it is also often a consequence of escaping their traffickers. Survivors without supportive services often end up on the streets, putting them at risk of re-trafficking.

It doesn’t have to be this way. We can address homelessness and support survivors of human trafficking, all while saving taxpayers. The most recent data shows that permanently housing a person experiencing homelessness costs less than jailing them.

• As of 2024, the cost to incarcerate someone in California for one year is approximately $132,860 (www.calmatters.org)
• The cost to permanently house a person and provide supportive services is $51,587 annually (www.jamboreehousing.com). 

Your vote matters. By voting YES ON MEASURE A, you are taking a crucial step towards addressing California’s homelessness crisis and supporting survivors of human trafficking. Your voice can make a difference.

Measure A will make Los Angeles County safer and more affordable for everyone. It will help over 50,000 veterans, survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, and people with mental health issues keep their housing and care, so they do not become homeless again. This measure will fund programs to fight homelessness, including building affordable housing, creating shelters, and providing mental health and addiction treatment services.

Tomorrow, we can address California’s homelessness crisis in a way that protects human dignity and saves Californians money. VOTE YES ON MEASURE A.