New Study on L.A. Unified High School Achievement

New Study on L.A. Unified High School Achievement December 8th, 2008 The Impact of High Schools on Student Achievement within the Los Angeles Unified School District: A Value Added Approach has been published by UCLA's IDEA (Institute for Democracy, Education and Access). This report examines how effective L.A. Unified high schools are at graduating 9th graders on time (in the normal span of 4 years).  Specifically, this report focused on over 48,000 students who entered the 9th grade for the first time in the 2001-02 school year, and were expected to graduate in the 2005 school year. The report examines how graduation rates differ across middle school academic achievement, English language proficiency, 9th grade standardized tests scores, as well as across race/ethnicity.  Also examined are the rates of graduating on time with college prep classes completed successfully.  These college prep courses (known as A-G courses) are necessary for UC and Cal State eligibility.  These rates are also analyzed by race/ethnicity. L.A. Unified high school success in both graduation rates and college readiness is examined by analyzing academic co-factors (such as success in biology, Algebra, and English). Finally, L.A. Unified schools that produce the best results in terms of graduating students and ready for college are listed as potential best practice models.  Key Findings: L.A. Unified 9th graders have a 50% of graduating high school on time Asians have the highest rate of graduating on time in L.A. Unified (at 65%).  This is followed by Whites (57%), and African-Americans and Latinos (both at 45%) Only 25% of L.A. Unified students graduate college ready (successfully completing college prep A-G courses) At least half of entering 9th grade students failed at least one academic core class in middle school (grades 6-8) Only about a third of students designated with limited English Proficiency (LEP) graduated on time from high school during the years studied (2001-2005)

Los Angeles 2008: State of the City Report

Los Angeles 2008- State of the City Report has been published by the Edmund G. Pat Brown Institute of Public Affairs at Cal State LA.

This annual report of the state of the City of LA examines topical social, political and economic matters facing LA and how it. fairs in relation to these issues. The report is written by several policy experts. This year, the report examines the following: housing (housing supply, number of foreclosures, new housing units built, affordable housing deficits in L.A.), the job market (employment, income distribution, earnings per job), health (the aging population, violence, substance abuse and causes of death and premature death), education (student performance, and school reform in L.A. Unified School District), strategies for creating smart growth and more. Broad policy options of some of the issues examined are also provided.

Selected Findings:

• Over the next ten years, the City of L.A. will lose more than 20,000 affordable housing units due to expiration of affordable agreements (pg. 7).
• In 2007, 90% of the city's housing units that were built were affordable only to families earning more than $71,700 (pg. 5).
• One quarter of L.A. City households in 2007 had incomes less than $25,000 (pg. 10).
• The cost of living in LA is 48% higher than the national average (pg. 11).
• Child obesity (5th, 7th and 9th graders) in the City of L.A. (which grew from 19.6% in 1999 to 25.3% in 2007), is three times less prevalent in Brentwood-Pacific Palisades than it is for the Harbor Gateway area (pg. 17).
• Drug overdose is the 6th leading cause of premature death in the City of L.A. (pg.19).
• Out of 80 school districts in L.A. County, LA Unified ranks 71st based on district API (Academic Performance Index) scores (pg.22).
• About 73% of students in the L.A. Unified School District qualify for free or reduced priced lunch programs (a proxy for low income households) (pg. 22).

Health and Low Income families of CA

Two new publications relating to health and low income individuals and children in California and California counties have been published-Trends in the Health of Young Children by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research and Insure the Uninsured Project's California's Safety Nets and the Need to Improve Local Collaboration in Care for the Uninsured: Counties, Clinics and Local Health Plans.

Trends in the Health of Young Children examines key components of children's (ages 0- 5 years old) health across race/ethnicity and income levels in California for the years 2001, 2003, and 2005. Topics include uninsured rates by race/ethnicity and income level, type of health insurance coverage (public and private), usual source of medical care by race/ethnicity, preschool attendance by race/ethnicity and more.

Selected Findings:

• 14.6% of children aged 0-5 in poor families (up to 2 times the federal poverty level) in California were uninsured for all or part of the year in 2005 (pg.1).
• Latino children (0-5 years old) in California had the highest rates of being uninsured for all or part of the year at 15%- about 3 times higher than any other racial/ethnic group (pg. 2).
• Latino children (0-5 years old) in California had the highest usage of public health care (vs. private doctor's office) as a usual source of care in 2005 (at 47%) compared to 28.8% for African-American children, 18.8% for Asian Children and 11.8% for Whites (pg. 3).

California's Safety Nets and the Need to Improve Local Collaboration in Care for the Uninsured: Counties, Clinics and Local Health Plans examines California's healthcare safety net (California counties, community clinics, and even some private health care centers that service the uninsured and the poor).  The report focuses on safety net financing and resources for safety net infrastructure. Included in the report: how much is spent on healthcare for the indigent and the uninsured across counties including L.A. County, utilization of free and community clinics in California across regions (including Southern California), county funding streams per uninsured county resident, demographics and economics of regions across California, and more.

Selected Findings:

• There are about 4.9 million Californians lacking health insurance on any given day, and 6.5 million over the course of a year (pg. 3).
• In 2005, Los Angeles County spent $761.8 million on healthcare for the indigent (pg. 11).
• Out of the 6 regions of California (Bay Area, Central Coast, Central Valley, North Central, North Rural and Southern California), the Southern California region (includes-Los Angeles) has the second highest uninsured rates of people under age 65 at 22% (pg. 45)

Alzheimer’s: An Emerging Public Health Concern

Alzheimer's: An Emerging Public Health Concern  has been published by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health   These public health brief details the affect Alzheimer's disease has on L.A. County.  Included in the brief: profiles of caregivers of adults with the disease (by age, race/ethnicity, gender, education attainment, income level and L.A. County service planning area), risk factors of the disease (chronic health conditions and health behaviors), prevalence of the disease in L.A. County and more.   Selected Findings:   In 2005, Alzheimer's was the 7th leading cause of death in L.A. County (pg. 1). Alzheimer's is prevalent in about 1 in 10 persons over the age of 65 (pg.1). There are about 310,000 adults in L.A. County who are caregivers to an adult with Alzheimer's (pg. 1). Over one third of persons caring for an adult with Alzheimer's in L.A County reported spending the equivalent in hours of a part time job in care giving for that adult (pg. 3).

LA Seniors Count: Survey of the Older Adult Population

October 6th, 2008

LA Seniors Count: Survey of the Older Adult Population has been published by the Los Angeles County Department of Community and Senior Services.

This survey of over 16,000 L.A. County seniors is a needs assessment of seniors and senior services in Los Angeles County.  Topics of the survey include health (access to health care, use of health services, affordability of health care), transportation (access to and ease of use for public transportation), housing (affordability, safety and home maintenance), employment (access to jobs), and other areas.  The survey breaks down results by geography (supervisorial districts, council districts), race/ethnicity, and age (60 to 74, 75 to 84, and 85 or over).

 

Selected Findings:

 

• By 2030, L.A. County will have nearly 3 million people over age 60, compared to about 1.4 million today (pg. 2).
• Nearly one in five seniors surveyed (or about 18%) lacks affordable dental care (pg. 6).
• Nearly half of seniors surveyed (47%) said that they did not have prescription drug coverage (pg. 6).
• 29% of seniors stated that they experience social isolation and expressed a desire for more social interaction (pg. 7).
• One in ten seniors stated that they had trouble affording utilities to the point where it affected their quality of life (pg. 71).
• About one in five seniors lacked transportation for medical appointments (pg. 7).  
• A quarter of seniors had responded that they had concerns about identity theft (pg. 73).

The Health of California’s Adults, Adolescents and Children: Findings from CHIS 2005 and 2003

September 29^th, 2008

The Health of California's Adults, Adolescents and Children: Findings from CHIS 2005 and 2003 has been published by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research.

 

This report examines the results of the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) for the years 2003 and 2005 for across the state of California.  The CHIS reports on key indicators of health status, health behavior and access to healthcare.  Some of the topics include: diabetes, obesity, heart disease, cancer, consumption of fruits and vegetables, consumption of fast food , average number of days walked, biked to school for children, time spent watching T.V., source of regular health care, incidence of prescription drug usages, and many others.  Many indicators are examined across age, race/ethnicity, gender and income levels (from below federal poverty level, to 3 times above the federal poverty level.).  In addition, comparisons are presented for the years 2003 and 2005.

 

Selected Findings:

 

• The probability that an adult in poverty over age 18 is to be diagnosed in their lifetime with diabetes in California is twice that of an adult at more than 3 times the federal poverty level (pg. 9).
• In 2005, 11% of women in California reported binge drinking (pg. 23).
• Out of all ethnic/national groups in California, Korean women were least likely in 2005 to get a mammogram (57% receiving mammograms) compared to the group most likely to get one, African-Americans (a rate of 81%) (pg. 29).
• About 86.4% of California adults have a regular source of medical care; foreign born Central American adults had the lowest incidents of regular medical care (74%) compared to Whites (90% have a regular source of medical care) (pg. 35).

2008 County Profiles of Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in California

September 15^th, 2008

2008 County Profiles of Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in California has been published by California Food Policy Advocates

 

This interactive map presents information on food insecurity, food and nutrition programs (food stamps, school meal programs, WIC-or Women, Infants and Children food assistance programs) as well as some health indicators (low birth weight babies, overweight, obese adults and diabetic adults) across 58 counties in California.  Numbers of those eligible for food and nutrition programs are given, as well as numbers and percentages of people eligible however not participating in the programs.  A ranking of counties is given with these indicators, showing how each county compares to each other as well as to the state.

 

 

Selected Findings:

 

• L.A. County ranks in the bottom 10 counties in the state in terms of 7th graders with unhealthy aerobic capacity (42.3%).
• A little over 410,000 persons in L.A. County have type II diabetes.
• L.A. County has 2,168 deaths attributable to diabetes annually.
• Nearly three quarters of a million people in L.A. County (723,000) are eligible for the Food Stamp Program however do not participate.
• Over 1 million students in L.A. County are eligible for federal free lunch programs.
• L.A. County loses about $1billion dollars in federal funds annually due to the combined underutilization of the Food Stamp Program and the School Breakfast Program.
• 740,000 adults in low-income households in L.A. County suffer food insecurity.

Workforce Housing Scorecard for Los Angeles

September 8^th, 2008

Workforce Housing Scorecard for Los Angeles has been published by the Los Angeles Business Council.

This publication by the Los Angeles Business Council looks at housing supply, affordability and density in L.A. County in relation to the County's changing demographics and job growth.  Some of the issues examined include: the impact of housing affordability on employee retention, new housing units produced in relation to increased population growth, ratio of new housing to new jobs, the impact of housing prices on job and population growth, the impact of housing density and locations on future commutes, and more.   A scorecard is presented that includes the 88 cities in L.A. County and 7 area planning commissions of the City of L.A. ranking these places on the following measures: total job growth, total housing growth, jobs to housing ratio, and change in housing density.  Data is used to look at history (from 1990) as well as future trends to 2035.

Selected Findings:

• Between the years 1990 and 2007, L.A. County gained a little over 1.4 million people, but added only a little over 190,000 housing units over the same period (pg. 7).
• About two-thirds, or 65% of new housing in L.A. County between the years 1990 and 2007 was built in four cities: Los Angeles, Lancaster, Palmdale and Santa Clarita (pg.19).
• The Los Angeles-Long Beach metropolitan area was found to be the least affordable area in the nation in 2007in terms of housing costs (pg. 5).
• Over 1.4 million commuters enter and leave L.A. County for work every day (pg. 13).
• More than a quarter of a million (or about 280,000) homes need to be constructed in L.A. County between 2006 and 2014 just to keep up with population growth (pg. 14).

Emergency Department Care in California

August 25th, 2008 Emergency Department Care in California-Who Uses It and Why has been published by the Public Policy Institute of California.  This publication by the Public Policy Institute of California looks at trends in emergency department usage throughout the state and implications for public safety and policy.  The report analyzed trends by geography ( California regions including Los Angeles County); race/ethnicity; health insurance status (uninsured, private coverage, Medi-Cal); rates of visits (and overcrowding); types and severity of patient visits (injury, psychiatric, chest pains), physicians per population and more. General policy recommendations and conclusions on increasing access, reducing overcrowding are also given. Selected Findings: Since 2003, Los Angeles County has lost 10 emergency departments    (pg. 4). Among California emergency departments that report the highest rates of patients leaving without seeing a physician, 39% were in Los Angeles County (pg. 17). Los Angeles County has a higher uninsured rate (16.5%) than the state of California as a whole (13.5%) (pg. 16). Los Angeles County Medi-Cal beneficiaries visit emergency rooms at a rate of 26 per 100 (pg. 16).  Hispanic foreign-born residents in California are less likely to visit an emergency department than Hispanic native-born residents, African-Americans, White foreign-born residents or White native-born residents (pg. 18). California Medi-Cal recipients are more likely to use emergency departments than the uninsured and are almost twice as likely to use emergency departments as those who have health insurance (pg. 17).

The Measure of America: American Human Development Report 2008-2009

The Measure of America: American Human Development Report 2008-2009 has been published by the American Human Development Project.

This report provides an index known as the American Human Development Index. This index seeks to provide an alternative measure of well-being that doesn't just focus on economic output, but rather is designed to be inclusive as to what constitutes a measure of good life. This index captures 3 important aspects of well-being: health and longevity; access to knowledge (educational attainment and enrollment); and standards of living (median earnings).  With these three aspects of well-being in mind, the 50 states and the 436 Congressional Districts are ranked on the Human Development Index from 1 to 10 (with 10 being best). Data are also disaggregated by race/ethnicity and gender. 

Selected Findings:

• LA County contains a Congressional District ranked in the top ten -the 30th congressional district (Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Malibu).
• LA County is also home to one of the bottom 30 congressional districts-the 31st Congressional District (located in Downtown, Los Angeles).
• California ranks 11th on the Human Development Index (5.62 out of 10)-slightly higher than the average for the U.S. (5..06).
• California ranks 4th highest in the rate of high school dropouts-1 in 5 persons 25 and older do not have a high school diploma or G.E.D.
• The 30th congressional district (Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica and Malibu) ranked the highest on the Education Index with the highest percent of adults over 25 with at least a B.A. degree.

Health Snapshots: Young Children's Health in California

Health Snapshots: Young Children's Health in California has been published by the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research with support from First 5 California.

This web information resource provides data and information on young children's health (up to age 5).  Topics and information are taken from the California Health Interview Survey.  Some of these topics include: access to medical care, consumption of fast food, consumption of daily servings of fruits and vegetables, frequency of parents reading books to children, attendance of pre-school/nursery school, Head Start, and more.  Data and information are also provided for the state, across all 58 counties as well as regions (Southern California, Central California, Northwest, Northeast, Bay Area, and Greater Sacramento).

Selected Findings:

• Parents in L.A. County reported 72.3% of their children (aged 0-5) in "excellent to very good health"; compared to the county with the highest rate in California (Nevada) at 97% and California as a whole at 74.6%.
• 38.6% of children (ages 4-5) in L.A. County attend a childcare program (such as a nursery school, head start, or preschool) for 10 or more hours a week compared to 37% for the state of California as a whole, and 67% for the county with the highest rate of early childcare attendance (Humboldt).
• 81.9% of children up to age 5 in L.A. County have some form of dental coverage compared to 63% for the county (Monterey) with the lowest rate of dental coverage in California.

Local Patterns and Dynamics: The Nonprofit Sector in Los Angeles County

Local Patterns and Dynamics: The Nonprofit Sector in Los Angeles County has been published by the Center for Civil Society at the UCLA School of Public Affairs.

This Publication is an annual examination of the state of nonprofits in LA County.  Topics that are discussed include: the growth of nonprofits, numbers of nonprofits in L.A. County, nonprofit assets, average wages of nonprofits, nonprofit expenditures per 10,000 of the population in the county and per service planning area (SPA), foundations in L.A. County, a profile of needs and capacity for each SPA and for the county, distribution of poverty relief nonprofits, education and youth nonprofits, and health services nonprofits across the county, the relationship between nonprofits and the fiscal environment (federal, state and local government), and more.
Selected Findings:

• L.A. County has almost 40,000 registered nonprofits and community organizations. The majority of these (32,800) were registered as 501(c)(3) organizations including about 4,300 foundations (pg. vii).
• From 2000 to 2003, nonprofit expenditures in L.A. County increased 18%, compared to an increase of 2% in the period 2003 to 2006 (pg. 7).
• Nearly three quarters, or, 73% of L.A. County nonprofits have 20 or fewer employees (pg. 17). 
• SPA 5 (West L.A., Malibu) has the highest total nonprofit expenditures per capita in L.A. County ($4,338)-almost double that for the county on average ($2,238); SPA 1 (Antelope Valley) has the lowest total nonprofit expenditures per capita ($781) (pg. 24).
• SPA 6 (South L.A.) has the highest poverty rate for SPAs (29.4%), but has the second lowest nonprofit poverty relief expenditures per persons living in poverty (pgs. 23, 30).
• Health agencies were the largest share of expenditures in 2006, comprising 41% of nonprofit expenditures (pg.. 11).  

Los Angeles County Middle Schools Falling Our Students

*Los Angeles, May 29, 2008* – United Way of Greater Los Angeles today
released the first report of its kind, "Seizing the Middle Ground; Why
Middle School Creates the Pathway to College and the Workforce." The
report provides business, community and education leaders with a tool
for measuring how Los Angeles County is faring within the area of middle
school education, and outlines steps that stakeholders must take to help
children succeed. While middle school grades have been largely ignored
in local and national education reform debates, the report findings
underscore the critical role that middle school education plays in
preparing students for college and the 21st century workforce.

/Seizing the Middle Ground /identified the following significant
risk areas:

* Low graduation rates: for every 100 9th grade students enrolled in
Los Angeles County schools in 2002, only 57 graduated four years
later.
* Over 70% of middle schools serving low-income African American and
Latino populations are failing federal education standards.
* Nearly half of students don't feel safe at school; 48 percent of
7th graders report being harassed, pushed, shoved or hit by peers
at school and 13 percent have carried a weapon onto school
property at least once.
* Half of the middle schools in L.A. County are overcrowded, with
the average size of 2,100 students; these schools provide one
counselor for every 609 students, compared to the national
recommendation of 1 for every 250.
* Lack of necessary classes: 45 percent of high schools provide too
few college preparatory courses (A-G) to accommodate all students,
leaving them unprepared for higher education
* Students who fail even one middle school class are much more
likely to drop out of high school: Less than 50% of students who
failed at least one class in grades 6-8 graduated from high school
within four years compared to over 66% of students who never
failed a class.
* Middle school students are not forming relationships with their
teachers or adults at school, with 71 percent of 7th graders
having no high level or caring relationship with any adults in the
school, allowing for them to fall through the cracks

In Los Angeles County, there are approximately 400,000 public school
students enrolled in grades 6-8, with the majority of the students
coming from minority families that tend to be underrepresented in higher
education. Due to factors such as low-levels of qualified teachers,
overcrowded classrooms and low per-pupil spending, the report finds that
over half of the middle schools are failing federal education standards,
and the situation is even worse for schools serving large populations of
low-income African American and Latino students. 100 percent of LA
County's middle schools spend well below the national average per pupil,
netting out at an average of $6,765 compared to a national average of
$8,041. It is now more critical than ever to help these students
succeed, as nearly all jobs require high school math and science.

"Education in Los Angeles County is at a critical crossroads," said
Elise Buik, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Los Angeles. "The
demand for an educated workforce is growing, while at the same time
middle school education is being neglected, and we're not preparing our
children, or our city, for the future. Unless we work together to
prioritize middle school education, we will not have the necessary
infrastructure for a thriving community and sustainable economy in the
future."

The study also finds that minority and low-income students are less
likely to graduate and face more challenges. In L.A. County, 73 percent
of middle grades students are Latino or African American and two-thirds
of students are on the free and reduced meal program for low-income
families. 70 percent of middle schools serving primarily low-income
students are on "program improvement," meaning that they are not making
adequate progress in improving their students' academic outcomes for two
consecutive years. Schools that primarily serve communities of color are
four times more likely to have a shortage of qualified teachers and 20
percent of the teachers lack proper credentials.

"The issues illuminated within the report are about under-funding and
more," said Jeannie Oakes, presidential professor and director, UCLA
Department of Education, a United Way research partner. "Poverty,
segregation and the lack of a social safety net all impact education for
Los Angeles students. What's more, the breakdown in our educational
system will impact the strength of our workforce and overall economy.
The whole community must work together to better prepare middle school
students for the rigors of high school and the real world."

Examples of progress from the report include:

* In 2007, Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) unanimously
approved policy recommendations to boost successful completion of
A-G courses for every Long Beach student by aligning classes,
counseling and supports beginning in the 6th grade; the program
starts in September 2008
* Project GRAD Los Angeles hosted a Middle School Algebra and
Robotic Summer Institute for four weeks in 2007 to help 165
students from LAUSD who were at risk of not enrolling in Algebra
classes; students enrolled with the same teachers in school, with
a 99 percent passing rate
* Torch Middle School implemented a Professional Learning Community
(PLC) and worked with an after school program to raise its
Academic Performance Index 290 points, earning them state
designation as a "School to Watch Model Middle School"

"Successes in schools such as Torch Middle School prove that we can
remedy the education system in Los Angeles County by strategically
implementing programs that work," said Elise Buik. "By providing
rigorous academic preparation and early academic intervention in
supportive personalized learning environments, we can move closer to
ensuring that Los Angeles County becomes a thriving, competitive home to
a skilled workforce and flourishing businesses."

The Middle School Report incorporates goals and recommendations made
within United Way's 10-year Action Plan, launched in 2007, which
addresses issues facing Los Angeles County and provides the tools
necessary to move more people out of poverty. In addition to United Way
of Greater Los Angeles, a panel of experts contributed to the report,
including UCLA Institute for Democracy, Education and Access; UCLA
Department of Psychology and the University of California-Irvine
Department of Education. For the full report, visit www.unitedwayla.org

<http://www.unitedwayla.org/>.

Geographic Divides in Los Angeles County: Demography, Income and Housing

Geographic Divides in Los Angeles County: Demography, Income and Housing has been published by the Center for Community Research and Solutions at United Way of Greater Los Angeles.

This research brief uses data from a special tabulation of the 2006 American Community Survey from the U.S. Census Bureau to examine 69 communities and districts in L.A. County. This brief looks at how socio-economic conditions differ across the county using several indicators such as median income, high school graduation rates, homeownership rates, renter costs, poverty and more. The 69 communities are then ranked into a composite index according to these indicators. Tables and maps are also available to download.

Selected Findings:

• The median family income in L.A. County is $56,930; California's median family income is $64,563 (pg.6)
• There is a seven fold difference in median family income across the 69 communities (from $23,000 in the Westlake-downtown area to $163,000 in Malibu, Pacific Palisades, and Brentwood) (pg. 6).
• South Park has the lowest high school graduation rates of adults 25 and over (38.8%), while Calabasas-Agoura-Topanga Canyon has the highest rates at 97.3% (pg. 15).
• South Park community also has the highest rate of people living in poverty, with about 4 in 10 of its residents in poverty (pg. 15).
• Downtown-Westlake-Pico Union has the lowest owner occupied housing rate at 5.5%, while Calabasas-Agoura-Topanga Canyon has the highest at 83.4% (pg.15).

California Family Economic Self-Sufficiency Standard by County

The Family Economic Self-Sufficiency Standard (Self-Sufficiency Standard) has been published by the Insight Center for Community Economic Development.

The self-sufficiency standard is a measurement of income needed to for individuals and families to meet their basic needs on such items as food, housing, health care and transportation. Other costs taken into account include taxes incurred as well as child care. The self-sufficiency standard is available in varying types of households (such as one adult with one child, two adults with three children, two adults with one teenager or two adults with one infant, etc.).&n bsp; The self sufficiency standard is also available for all of California's counties for comparison.

Selected Findings:

• A single adult (single parent) in L.A. County with two children (preschool age) would need to earn $56,809 to meet basic household needs (pg. 2).
• A single adult (no children) in L.A. County would need to earn $2,203 a month (after taxes) to afford necessities such as housing, food, transportation and health care (pg. 1).
• To afford child care, a two parent household with two school aged children in L.A. County need to allocate about $770 a month (pg. 12).
• To afford health care for the family in L.A. County, a single parent with one school aged child needs to allocate $254 a month (pg. 1).

2nd Annual Gang Symposium 5.20.08

UCLA Department of Social Welfare and Communities in Schools present

Gangs...A Community Solution

Dodd Hall @ UCLA
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
6 PM to 8:30 PM

Keynote: Michael De La Rocha, City of LA Human Relations Commission

Contact: Michelle Talley: 310.206.2697 / talley@spa.ucla.edu

Out of Reach 2007-2008

Out of Reach 2007-2008 has been published by the National Low Income Housing Coalition.

The National Low Income Housing Coalition has released its annual Out of Reach report on housing affordability across the United States. This interactive web report allows you to find data on housing affordability as expressed in fair market rent. Data include: income needed to afford a studio, one bedroom, two bedroom, three bedroom or four bedroom apartment; how many hours you would need to work on minimum wage to afford such housing; a ranking by housing wage (hourly wage needed to afford a two bedroom apartment) by state, and county; and more. Data is available for comparison among states, counties and MSAs (Metropolitan Statistical Areas). Some of the files are downloadable in spreadsheet format.
.
Selected Findings:

• 52% of L.A. County residents are renters compared to 43% for California as a whole.
• An average renter in L.A. County would need to work 47 hours a week to afford a one bedroom apartment.
• Since 2000, fair market rents for a one bedroom apartment have gone up 62% in L.A. County and 44% in California.
• Hawaii is the most expensive state in terms of renting a two bedroom apartment. One would need to earn $29.02 an hour to afford such an apartment. California was the second most expensive, ($24.01 an hour is needed to afford a two bedroom apartment).
• Individuals in L.A. County who rely only on the $870 a month of SSI (Supplemental Security Income) would have to use up 99% of their SSI benefit in order to pay for a fair market rent studio ($863 a month).

Changes in Homelessness, Supportive Housing and Tenant Characteristics

Changes in Homelessness, Supportive Housing and Tenant Characteristics has been published by the Urban Institute for the Corporation for Supportive Housing. 

The Hilton foundation gave a five year grant to the Corporation for Supportive Housing in 2005 to study and address long term homelessness in L.A. County.  An initial report was made then to document baseline levels of homelessness and the efforts made by agencies in L.A. County fighting homelessness.  This report is an update of that initial evaluation report.   Inclu ded are: changes in numbers of people homeless (total, chronic, and disabled), who is being served by permanent supportive housing (single adults, families, as well as where they came from, for example, street or shelter), what government agencies and funding streams have done since the initial report, and more.
 .  
Selected Findings:

• 14,000 more permanent supportive housing units are needed in L.A. County to end chronic homelessness (pg. 9).
• The vast majority of permanent supportive housing tenants surveyed were single adults 89%; families made up 5%. (pg. 10).
• 67% of permanent supportive housingtenants in L.A. County had a serious mental illness in 2007, compared to 55% in 2004 (pg. 12). 
• For fiscal year 2007, permanent supportive housingprojects in LA County received $28.6 million in funding (for operating resources) compared to $25.7 million in 2004 (pg. 15). 

United Way of Greater Los Angeles

http://www.unitedwayla.org

The Quality of Life in Los Angeles: 2008 State of the County Report Update

The Quality of Life in Los Angeles: 2008 State of the County Report Update has been published by the Center for Community Research and Solutions at United Way of Greater Los Angeles.

This publication is an update to the annual Quality of Life in Los Angeles, inaugurated in 2007 and published by the United Way of Greater Los Angeles. This update to the Quality of Life includes the same indicators of well being in the areas of education, economic status, health, and public safety. The index is updated with data from the year 2006-the most recent year data was available for all indicators together. The index score signifies where LA County is and how far it has to go to attain a good quality of life for its residents. For example, an overall score of 7.2 means that LA County is 72% of where it should be in meeting conditions that provide a good quality of life, and a score of 10 means that LA County is 100% where it should be in these indicators. Historical data are also included in the publication.

Selected Findings:

• The overall LA County Index has gone up since last year-rising from 7.31 to 7.52. Roughly translated, this means that LA County has gone up from 73% of where it should be to 75% in terms of attaining a good quality of life for its residents (pg. 4).
• The State of California's index held steady in 2006, at 8.05, down only slightly from 8.08 the year before (pg. 4).
• The rate of students enrolled in the free/reduced lunch programs has grown in LA County, from 61.3% in 2000 to 64.3% in 2006 (pg. 14).
• The child poverty rate has held relatively steady at about 22% over 2005 and 2006 (pg. 14).
• Median family income in LA County in 2006 was $57,000 (pg..8).
• The violent crime rate in LA County (measured in crimes per 100,000) in 2006 has been the lowest since 2000, declining about one third from the year 2000 (pg. 14).
• Despite the generally positive direction in the Quality of Life Index over recent years, current negative trends in housing, unemployment, crime and the economy could threaten the index in the near future. (p. 5)
  

LA Speaks: Language Diversity and English Proficiency by LA County Service Planning Area

LA Speaks: Language Diversity and English Proficiency by LA County has been published by the Asian Pacific American Legal Center of Southern California.

This publication examines the diversity of language found in LA County. It includes demographics (race/ethnicity, place of origin, languages spoken at home), a look at limited English proficiency and the barriers faced by those with limited English skills, policy recommendations and more. Languages spoken are broken down by SPAs (service planning areas).

Selected Findings:

• More than one third (36%) of LA County residents were born outside the US.
• About one quarter of LA County seniors (ages 65 and older) are limited English proficient, (meaning they cannot speak the language 'very well', or experience difficulty in communicating in English).
• More than half of LA County residents speak a language other than English at home.
• 2.5 million LA County residents are considered limited English proficient
• Out of all the service planning areas (or SPAs), SPA 4 (Metro LA) has the highest percentage of residents born outside the US at about half (51%); SPA 1 (Antelope Valley) has the lowest percentage of residents born outside the US at 15%.

The Earned Income Tax Credit in Los Angeles County: Trends and Opportunities

The Earned Income Tax Credit in Los Angeles County: Trends and Opportunities has been published by the Center for Community Research and Solutions at the United Way of Greater Los Angeles.

This publication examines the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) in Los Angeles County. The research brief includes: a history of the EITC, participant eligibility, historic trends in participation, rates of participation across LA County, tax preparation trends (paid sites, volunteer income tax assistance sites or VITA sites, RALs or Refund Anticipation Loans), and more. In addition, policy options are examined, including linking EITC to asset building strategies.

Selected Findings:

• LA County residents file almost 4 million tax returns a year. About 1 in 5 of those in LA County that file, claim the EITC.
• In 2006, over 750,000 LA County taxpayers received the EITC, providing about $1.5 billion dollars back to the community, averaging about $2,000 per person.
• About $22.6 million was spent on Refund Anticipation Loans (RALs) in LA County in the 2005 tax year.
• 2 out of 3 tax payers claiming the EITC in LA County also purchase costly Refund Anticipation Loans (RALs).
• 23 states have their own EITC programs, which accounts for about half of the states that levy taxes.

2006-2007 Population Estimates

Census Bureau 2006-2007 Population Estimates The U.S. Census Bureau recently released its county population estimates for July 2007. According to the Bureau, Riverside County was Southern California's fasted growing area between 2006 and 2007. Its population rose by 3.3% or 66,365 persons to a total of 2,073,571 residents. San Bernardino County's population increased by 1.0% or by 20,295 persons to a July 1, 2007 count of 2,007,800 residents. San Diego County was right behind with a 0.9% population increase, or 26,497 persons, to a total of 2,974,859 residents. full article

Unemployment Falls in February but Still High

Unemployment Falls in February but Still High February's unemployment rates were released last week by the California Employment Development Department (EDD). Los Angeles County's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell to 5.3%, down from both 5.7% in January and from 5.4% in December, yet up from 4.7% a year earlier. February marked the ninth consecutive month the County's unemployment rate increased over the previous year; however, it continued at or below than the state's unemployment rate for the twenty-fourth consecutive month. full article

Homeless Older Adults Strategic Plan

March 24, 2008

Homeless Older Adults Strategic Plan

Homeless Older Adults Strategic Plan has been published by Shelter Partnership.

This publication by Shelter Partnership examines the unique population of older adults in LA County who are currently homeless. Included in the publication: survey of characteristics of the older homeless population (ages, disabilities, sources of income, race/ethnicity, duration of homelessness, and more), recommendations on ending homelessness (involving access to housing, outreach, advocacy), a literature review, interviews with affordable housing funders as well as service providers, best practices of different organizations that house older homeless adults, and more.

Selected Findings:

• On any given night, there are 3,000 to 4,000 older homeless persons, (aged 62 and over) in LA County.
• 62% of older homeless persons have some kind of disability (either physical, mental or both).
• More than a quarter of homeless older adults (28%) in LA County are veterans (almost twice as high as the general homeless population in the county).
• The average monthly income of homeless adults who had at least some income was $773.
• Almost a quarter of homeless older adults reported having some college education.
  

Impact of Budget Cuts by County/Program

March 17, 2008

Impact of Budget Cuts by County/Program

Impact of Budget Cuts by County/Program has been published by the California Budget Project.

This report by the California Budget Project highlights the potential impacts of proposed budget cuts by the California governor on public services and programs. The report examines these impacts for each California county and for each of the school districts. Affected programs and services that are examined include Medi-Cal, CalWORKs, in-home supportive services, K-12 education, state childcare and preschool, SSI (Supplemental Social Security Income) and SSP (State Supplementary Payment).

Selected Findings:

• LA County could see a reduction in spending of $670 per student on K-12 targeted programs.
• Budget cuts in education could affect more than 1.5 million students in LA County alone.
• Cuts to health care providers will affect more than 2.2 million Medi-Cal recipients in LA County, who may face reduced health care services.
• LA County could face over 5,000 "lost" pre-school/childcare slots (available spaces).
• Out of all the counties, LA County would have the most people affected (over 400,000) with the proposed budget reductions to SSI/SSP (supplemental income payments to seniors and those with disabilities).
• In LA County, close to 30,000 children could lose CalWORKs cash assistance, due to the proposed budget reductions in the program.