On Tuesday, March 26, 2024 The Pepperdine School of Public Policy hosted “Homeless America: Creative and Compassionate Responses to a Cross-Sector Challenge” conference in downtown Los Angeles.
Before COVID struck the United States in early 2020, California governor, Gavin Newsom, gave his annual “State of the State Address”, which was focused on addressing the burgeoning homelessness crisis in the state. As the impact of the virus has receded, the issue of homelessness has returned to center stage. A recent survey of Californians by the Public Policy Institute of California found that a full 89% of those questioned view homelessness as either a “Big Problem” or “Somewhat of a Problem”.
The issue of homelessness draws so many policy domains from housing to mental health services and public safety. It’s also a true “cross sector” challenge, requiring engagement by the government, nonprofit, and business sectors. Through an afternoon of panels and keynotes, we explored how the public sector and nonprofit leaders are taking a variety of approaches to respond to this crisis.
Keynote Address
- Michele Steeb
Author, Answers. Behind the RED DOOR:
Battling the Homelessness. Epidemic