Shifting paradigms around homelessness might also include the thousands of Latino families who have lost their homes to foreclosure or rent burden and are forced to "double up" with extended family, friends, or neighbors in unsustainable housing arrangements. Exacerbating these challenges is the paucity of Spanish-speaking staff at homeless shelters and homeless prevention call centers. Language barriers, coupled with insufficient outreach to Latinos, create a gap in services available to Latinos facing homelessness.
Photo: Olga Lopez