LA City Council supports bill to incorporate women's needs in homeless response

Shelter opening in Los Angeles for families battling homelessness

A new shelter is opening in Los Angeles to provide housing for families. Laura Diaz spoke to one woman who will soon move in, after spending years on the streets.

LOS ANGELES - A resolution in support of a California Senate bill aimed at incorporating the needs of domestic violence victims and unaccompanied women into homelessness planning was passed by the Los Angeles City Council Tuesday, April 5.

"Domestic violence is one of the leading drivers of women's homelessness, with approximately 57% of women reporting domestic violence as the cause of their homelessness," the resolution stated, citing national data.

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The resolution was introduced by Council President Nury Martinez and Councilman Joe Buscaino. It shows the city's support for Senate Bill 914, introduced by Sen. Susan Rubio, D-Baldwin Park.

If the legislation is passed, it would require California cities, counties and continuums that receive homelessness response funding from the state to ensure that domestic violence victims' and unaccompanied women's needs are incorporated into the systems.

The resolution notes that unaccompanied women wait more than 10 years to access stable housing, which it says is twice the rate of men. It adds that unsheltered women are at a higher likelihood of sexual violence, trauma and inadequate access to hygiene supplies.

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