How to help unhoused Angelenos during the colder months

A young man kneels next to the wall as people stand in line to receive a Christmas meal and a hygiene kits.

Dec. 20, 2021 1:56 PM PT

While we may not mark our seasons with the traditional changes in weather like other parts of the country do, the Golden State isn’t always sunny and 70 degrees, as anyone who lives here can attest.

In 2019, The Times reported that more people in L.A. experiencing homelessness had died at least partly because of the cold than in San Francisco and New York combined.

As temperatures begin to drop and storms roll in, here’s how Angelenos can help support one of the city’s most vulnerable populations.

Extremes on either end of the thermometer can pose serious threats to the health and well-being of those who are experiencing homelessness.

Cat Kim, board director for the SELAH Neighborhood Homeless Coalition, said you can provide desperately needed help just by sharing any extra winter-specific items you might have. You can keep them in your car to give to homeless people you see or bring them to nonprofits, such as SELAH, for distribution.

Items needed include:

Beanies or warm hats
Winter gloves
Thick socks (preferably wool, they’re good at wicking moisture)
Warm blankets
Warm jackets
Closed-toe shoes
Hand-warming packs
Tarps and tents

Los Angeles County reopened its winter shelters Nov. 1. They will remain open 24 hours a day until March 31, 2022, but space is limited.

According to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, there were 66,436 homeless people in the county in 2020. The county currently has only 433 beds available in its winter shelters.

Ahmad Chapman, director of communications for LAHSA, said the number is expected to increase in the coming months. Additional shelters can be opened, he said, if weather conditions require it.

During periods of extreme heat, the county operates cooling centers to offer refuge from the sweltering temperatures. But when it comes to periods of extreme cold and inclement weather, said Jeanne O’Donnell, program manager of the L.A. County Office of Emergency Management, the issue isn’t providing brief periods of respite but rather overnight shelter.

It’s not just a winter issue

People’s basic needs don’t change with the seasons. And among people experiencing homelessness, what’s always in too short supply are food, water and hygiene products, Kim said.

Donors should focus on providing foods that are rich in carbohydrates, vitamins and protein, she added. Access to these important nutrients is limited for unhoused people.

Other helpful contributions include:

Soft foods, because of a lack of access to regular dental care
Fresh fruit, especially varieties that are easy to transport and store, such as bananas
Drink powders, such as Emergen-C, that provide electrolytes and support for the body’s immune system
Hygiene kits that include body wipes and face masks to protect against COVID-19

What else you can do

While supplies are needed and appreciated, Mayer Dahan, founder of the Dream Builders Project, a nonprofit that assembles and distributes care packages to homeless people, said that those are just a first step.

Whether you get involved with advocacy work or simply walk out your front door and find the first person you can help, he said, communities need to mobilize to support each other.

SELAH’s Kim suggested holding a supply drive in your neighborhood. Mutual aid organizations and nonprofits are more than happy to take your donations if you’re not comfortable approaching people on your own.