Outside the auditorium at Polytechnic School in Pasadena (Photo – Matthew Sorrenti)
In an auditorium at Polytechnic School in Pasadena, housing justice advocates gathered to hear survivors of homelessness tell their stories in their own words.
By Matthew Sorrenti
The event, Everyone In: Stories from the Frontline, placed a spotlight on the homelessness crisis facing Los Angeles County.
The circumstances which lead to homelessness are as common as they are tragic. For Dorothy Edwards, it was a childhood marked by divorce and domestic violence which compelled her to leave home at the age of fifteen. For Keith Crenshaw, the 2007-2008 financial crisis led to the loss of his job and his home. For Hector Curiel, it was a workplace back injury which resulted in dependency on prescription painkillers; followed by addiction, the loss of his job, and the loss of his home.
Redemption
Redemption was a uniting theme of the evening. Edwards, who at one point found herself with nowhere left to go but the streets, was able to find affordable supportive housing through the nonprofit Housing Works. Soon, she was hired by the organization, and now sits on the board of directors for the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH). Crenshaw found redemption in his faith and his music, performing his original composition “Stay Positive” for an ebullient audience. During his story, he thanked Union Station Homeless Services, the United Way, and Foothill Unity Center for providing him with support. Curiel, who found himself sleeping on park benches and under freeway overpasses after his truck was stolen, eventually found Section 8 housing through the Department of Mental Health, and is now an official advocate with CSH Speak Up!
“Everyone I” took place at Polytechnic School auditorium, Thursday, June 27, 2019 (Photo – Matthew Sorrenti)
Need for action
While many of the stories inspired the audience, at the same time the speakers also addressed the need for action. Crenshaw expressed his dismay at witnessing people living on the streets while many homes and buildings throughout the county lie vacant. Dr. Jill Shook, co-founder of Making Housing and Community Happen, emphasized the need for more Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU), also known as “granny flats” or garage units, more conversion of derelict buildings into supportive affordable housing sites, such as the YWCA building adjacent to city hall, and to increase inclusionary housing. Cynthia Kirby, formerly chronically homeless, called upon the audience to mobilize in support of permanent supportive housing and rent control in Pasadena to prevent more from being forced onto the streets.
“Talk to us like humans”
Several speakers stressed that the simplest thing anyone can do is to recognize the humanity of the homeless population. According to Kirby, the homeless are “exactly who you want as neighbors.” In the words of Edwards, “you don’t have to give money, but just talk to people like humans.”
Homes End Homelessness (Photo – Matthew Sorrenti)
“rent control in Pasadena to prevent more from being forced onto the streets.”
Sad that these people have ABSOLUTELY no clue. Everywhere rent control is in place there’s been a DECREASE in the number of rentals available. Pretty much by economic definition – and reality.
I can’t imagine a more appropriate place..
I went to this forum. It was very touching and inspirational. It humanized the homeless crisis. It also drove home the point that more affordable housing must be built, not just market-rate housing that more and more of us can no longer afford.