When Fear Comes Knocking: Immigration Raids Push More LA Families Into Homelessness - Letters to the Housed

Last week I said I'd write about the effect these sweeps are having on housing security for the affected families and revisit one of the solutions I proposed a few weeks ago, cash grants to people affected by the sweeps. In my research this week I found some alarming stats on the economic impact and two recent articles highlighting the success of cash grants to individuals and the latest proposals to continue giving cash directly to residents to help them stay housed.

The New Reality: Crisis Upon Crisis

Over the past five years, anywhere from 127–230 Angelenos have lost their housing every day. Tens of thousands of people have entered our already overworked support systems. But now, we're facing a perfect storm: the current sweeps will undoubtedly put more families on the street just as the January fires in Altadena and Pacific Palisades have destroyed over 16,000 structures and displaced tens of thousands more.

Economic Devastation Happens Fast

"California experienced a 3.1% drop in private-sector jobs within a single week after federal immigration raids—worse than Great Recession or early COVID." — LAist/CalMatters, Jul 16, 2025

The economic effects of ICE sweeps have been immediate. ABC7 News has reported that "Mass deportations could slash California's GDP by up to $275 billion." The sweeps are causing damage to our economy, but that's nothing compared to the damage done to the lives of our neighbors—now multiplied by the fire crisis. And we're just a few weeks into this mess.

Henrissa Bassey, an eviction defense attorney with Bet Tzedek was quoted as saying "We will likely see an uptick of folks being evicted due to non-payment of rent, and the inciting event will be that their loved one was detained and taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement."

We're already hearing that animal shelters are filling up with pets left behind when their humans were hauled away. (LA County animal shelters seeing increased surrenders from detained/deported owners [LA Times, Jul 12, 2025])

The Domino Effect: When Multiple Disasters Collide

We took the train this past week and it was eerily quiet. It was a little after 5PM when we started our trip and there were a few riders coming from Pasadena. We all got off at Union Station and as soon as we stepped into the long hallway to get our connecting train, we were alone. We saw a few security guards and Metro Ambassadors moving through the empty halls but no other riders.

When my Metro card failed, three Metro Ambassadors rushed to help me. We were the only people passing through those turnstiles and it wasn't until we got on the train that we saw anyone else. Even then, there were only two other passengers in that entire car.

The Fear Economy

"Many immigrant renters are in a double bind: Am I going to be picked up and deported without due process, or am I going to be sent out on the streets?" — Tenant organizer, LAist

People are not working, not going to the doctor, not going to school, not leaving their homes. How will they ever be able to keep their heads above water—especially when the fires have already pushed so many under?

And it's not just LA. Reports are coming in that sweeps in SF, and recently Sacramento, are emptying the streets.

Tourism is down, foreigners are being warned away from visiting the U.S., they're not shopping or eating in our restaurants. I recently read an article saying that for every one deportation, we lose eight jobs. This domino effect will continue well past the last days of the current administration. It may take years for California to recover—from both crises.

The Most Vulnerable Bear the Heaviest Load

But the people who will suffer worst are those already on the margins. 67% of undocumented households in LA were already rent-burdened before raids. Adding to the fact that Latino homelessness grew 28% from 2022-2023, the fastest growth among any demographic (USC Dornsife report).

"Recent immigration raids have stripped many Los Angeles families of their primary breadwinner. Other immigrant workers who have not been detained are also losing income as workplaces shut down to avoid becoming the next target for masked, armed federal agents."

The Immediate Response: Stopgap Measures in a Sea of Need

Recently, both the LA City Council and LA County Supervisors have proposed programs to help keep people housed. The city is providing "couple hundred" dollar cash cards through immigrant rights groups and the county has approved a philanthropic fund for rent/wage replacement.

There's so much money in this country, enough to end homelessness immediately if we wanted to, and it encourages me to see our government make a direct appeal to the billionaire class. Let's see who steps up.

Fire Response Shows What's Possible

In response to the fires, the County has also established the Los Angeles County Relief Fund. This fund, supported by an initial $32.2 million in County funds, will provide direct financial relief to homeowners, tenants, workers, small business owners, and those affected. Homeowners and tenants who have been physically displaced may be eligible for up to $18,000 grants.

Two cities I've had the pleasure of working with have also stepped up:

• Long Beach: "Long Beach Neighbors Supporting Neighbors fund" with initial $100,000 from California Community Foundation

• Montebello: "committed $100,000 in general funds toward a rent and utility relief program" - notable as the only city using taxpayer funds

And the state of California pledged $25 million in legal aid. Governor Newsom commits $101 million to jumpstart critical rebuilding efforts after LA Fires, including a special program designed to provide housing stability for fire-displaced families as quickly as possible.

"It's a start, and something is better than nothing — and no, it does not go far enough." — Estuardo Mazariegos, co-director of the L.A. Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment

The Bigger Picture: Housing Vulnerability Affects Us All

Over 600,000 people in LA County are rent-burdened, meaning they pay over 50% (and as high as 90%) of their take home pay in rent. We've always been a low-wage and high rent town.

The fires have made this worse. Rising housing demand from wildfire victims will worsen L.A.'s existing housing shortage, likely forcing more low-income Angelenos into homelessness in the long-term. Even worse, homeless service providers and advocates also say they fear the focus on wildfire recovery is already diverting public attention and resources away from homelessness.

The Math Problem We Can't Ignore

Since the 1990s, housing growth has lagged far behind population growth. California needs 3.8–4 million housing units just to meet the CURRENT need—and that was before we lost 16,000+ structures to fire.

Building our way out is going to be tough because it takes time, supplies, people and a lot of money. In LA right now it costs between $700,000-$800,000 for every one bedroom unit that is built and 25% of the construction workforce is under imminent threat of deportation.

Why Traditional Solutions Aren't Working

We've thrown billions of dollars at the problem, and it's not working. The system's not built for what needs to happen. And while some cities and the county are stepping up to offer help, they were already struggling with budget shortfalls:

• Long Beach faces "a general fund shortfall of $61.5 million over the next five years"

• LA County's "budget has been rocked by a $4 billion sex abuse settlement"

Mayor Bass said, "I wish we had general fund money for that" after signing budget with "hundreds of layoffs and other service cuts to close a nearly $1 billion dollar revenue shortfall"

Solutions: Building Long-Term Housing Security

So what do we do? How do we fix this when the system itself is broken and resources are being stretched even thinner?

What's Actually Working: Direct Cash Assistance

First, let's talk about what's working. There's mounting evidence that giving money directly to people facing homelessness actually works. The UK just finished a trial where they gave homeless individuals "personal budgets" to spend however they needed. Modesto offered cash grants to qualifying residents and LA has piloted several programs making cash available to residents in need. The results? People used the money wisely—for rent deposits, work clothes, transportation to jobs. No bureaucracy, no means-testing, just trust and cash.

Local Innovation in Action

Here in LA, we're seeing glimmers of hope through community action:

The Mansion Tax Revolution: The United to House L.A. coalition is pushing to redirect Measure ULA funds—our "mansion tax" on properties over $5 million—to help families affected by the raids. There's $14.6 million scheduled for distribution this fall. It's poetic justice: using wealth from luxury real estate sales to keep working families housed.

Fire Recovery Creating New Models: Governor Newsom issued an executive order to fast-track temporary housing for Los Angeles firestorm area, including measures to streamline construction and occupancy of accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on properties destroyed by the fires, including extending CEQA and Coastal Act exemptions from the Governor's executive order to accelerate rebuilding efforts to ADUs. Make it easier to place temporary trailers and other housing.

Policy Changes That Actually Matter

California's Homekey+ program is converting motels into permanent housing at $144,000 per unit—a fraction of new construction costs. We need more of this creative thinking.

But we also need basics: eviction moratoriums for raid-affected families, legal representation for renters, and yes, more cash assistance programs. As one advocate told LAist, "We have the opportunity to extend help to people directly impacted by this crisis, just like we extended it to people directly impacted by the fires."

A Moment of Choice

This is happening now. In our neighborhoods. To our neighbors.

The immigration raids have torn the mask off our housing crisis. The fires have burned away any remaining illusions. We can no longer pretend this is someone else's problem. When 600,000 Angelenos are one paycheck away from the streets, when families are choosing between paying rent and buying food, when fear itself becomes a cause of homelessness—we're all affected.

Climate and Justice Can't Be Separated

In Los Angeles and across the US, solutions to homelessness and the lack of affordable housing are needed to build equitable, climate resilient cities. The fires have shown us that people experiencing homelessness face unique risks and suffer the most severe effects during disasters because response and recovery efforts often lack the knowledge, resources, and capacity to meet their specific needs.

Your Move

So here's my challenge: Pick one thing. Support a mutual aid group. Learn your unhoused neighbor's name. Show up to demand your city councilmember support eviction protections. Give to the Long Beach Neighbors Supporting Neighbors fund, the LA County Relief Fund, or push LA to use those mansion tax dollars for emergency assistance.

The solutions exist. The money exists. The only question is whether we have the will to act—before the next crisis hits.

Thanks for reading and see you next week.

Paul

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Sources with Links:

Economic Impact Studies

• Mass deportations could have $275 billion economic impact on CA - ABC7
• Study: Mass Deportations Would Cost California Economy $275 Billion - UC Merced
• The Economic Impact of Mass Deportation in California - Bay Area Council
• Mass deportations could cost California's economy $275 billion - CBS

Job Losses & Employment Impact

• ICE sweeps and job losses - LAist
• Thousands of Californians lost work after LA immigration raids - CalMatters
• The Effects of Recent Federal Immigration Enforcement - UC Merced PDF
• What really happens after worksite immigration raids in CA - CalMatters

Housing & Community Impact

• Raids and rent - LAist
• Immigration sweeps risk CA's historic housing reforms - CalMatters
• ICE raids are leaving some L.A. cats and dogs homeless - LA Times

Health & Social Services Impact

• ICE raids and Medicaid cuts are bad news for California's health clinics - Politico
• ICE Raid Guidance for Homeless Service Providers - Homeless Law PDF

Government Response & Policy

• Governor Newsom calls on Trump to end Los Angeles militarization - CA.gov
• New Report: Lt. Governor Kounalakis Highlights Immigrants' Vital Role - CA.gov
• Why Trump immigration sweeps threaten CA population, economy - CalMatters

Analysis & Commentary

• How immigration raids are reshaping Los Angeles - Le Monde
• ICE raids are cruel, but so is an economy built on undocumented labor - LA Times
• Homeless Sweeps, ICE Raids and the Erosion of Due Process - American Community Media

Family & Economic Security

• Deportations and Immigration Limits Threaten California Families - California Budget & Policy Center

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