Celebrating Latino culture also means studying gaps in earnings, health, education
Latinos’ influence on music, arts and cuisine — forming a cultural juggernaut that permeates Los Angeles County — is ubiquitous, and that doesn’t include economic contributions from the business sector that is larger than that of such states as Oregon and Louisiana.
Yet beneath all that success is another story, one of an ethnic group — not a minority for they are almost a majority in the county — falling behind Whites and peers in other ethnic groups in their education, housing, health, literacy, economic status and access to parks for their kids to run and play.
It’s this dichotomy that drove the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Dec. 3, to order a $600,000 study to examine the struggles of the 4.7 million Latinos in the county, and identify ways to knock down barriers that hold back many from prosperity, good health and a decent education.
“Los Angeles County has the responsibility to understand how our diverse Latino communities are doing so that we can do better for — and with — them,” said Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, who represents the Third District which includes the San Fernando Valley and western L.A. County. About 43% of her district is Latino.
About 761,000 Latinos are living below the poverty level, with 25% of households earning less than $40,000 per year. A factor that is increasing is the escalating price of housing — making it difficult to keep a roof over their heads. A recent study found 80% were considered “rent burdened” or “severely rent burdened,” according to a county report.
The 2022 Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count saw unhoused Latinos shoot up by 26% and this year’s count put the percentage of unhoused Latinos at 43% of the unhoused population in the county.
Overcrowding in housing situations is common. Barbara Ferrer, director of the county’s Department of Public Health, said this contributed to higher infection and morbidity rates among Latinos than Whites during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dianna Diaz, a daughter of Mexican immigrants who has been a school counselor for 30 years with LAUSD, said she often hears stories of untenable housing situations from students. “I work closely with students and families in trying to eliminate barriers. I hear about three families living in one room and they have to make an appointment to use the restroom.”
In education, only 35.3% of Latino students in LAUSD schools meet English proficiency standards, compared to 65.4% of White students. In math, 24.3% of Latino students are proficient, compared to 55% of White students, the county reported. Latinos have lower enrollment rates in higher education and lower high school graduation rates, the county reported.
About 53% of Latino adults have low literacy levels, which affects their ability to access county services but also to be aware of them. The county motion approved by the board by a 4-0 vote, said part of the problem is understanding street signs or wayfinding systems “turning what should be straightforward tasks into confusing and stressful experiences.”
“So we must understand what is driving these disparities,” said First District Supervisor Hilda Solis, who co-authored the motion with Horvath. “This (study) is about Latinos having the appropriate resources to thrive, to ensure there is equity for Latinos in Los Angeles County.”
The board ordered a study from the Chief Executive Office and its Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI) Initiative on the status of Latino residents in the county. It also directs the Los Angeles County Office of Education to work with school districts to increase literacy, high school graduation rates and report back in three months.
Some solutions include possibly adding Spanish to county wayfinding and street signs and/or using universal symbols.
Other factors affecting poverty and health services were to be studied by various county departments. Ferrer’s office is conducting pilot studies in 10 areas of the county. The No. 1 answer from most seeking county services was food insecurity, she said. Also, Latinos have higher rates of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and asthma and are more likely to be uninsured than other groups, she said.
The Department of Public Social Services told the board that many Latinos who may be eligible are not applying for safety net services, such as CalWORKS, a welfare program that gives cash and services to eligible California families; CalFresh, which was once called the food stamps program; and General Relief, a welfare program that provides about $221 a month for one person.
While there may be many reasons why, some said it is because the county application process is too bureaucratic.
“Our programs are far too complex,” said Jackie Contreras, director of DPSS. “It’s as if they are designed to keep people from accessing the benefit,” she said. For example, when they have to re-apply, they fall out of the program. Also, many feel ashamed to receive public assistance, she said.
For example, foster youth transitioning out of the county program should automatically be enrolled. “We should not shame them,” she said.
Currently, low-income residents can enroll over the phone, but wait times can be 45 minutes, said Contreras. She said new rules may force her into in-person enrollment only, which can further exacerbate enrollment for low-income Latinos. Supervisors Janice Hahn and Kathryn Barger both preferred a hybrid program, giving recipients the choice on how to enroll.
The motion also asks DPSS to report back on the rates of enrollment and disenrollment of Latinos countywide in Medi-Cal healthcare, as well as CalFresh and other aid programs.
Also, the Department of Economic Opportunity and the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs will introduce families to new Microenterprise Home Kitchen Operations (MEHKO), union apprenticeships and other job opportunities.