Having low income presents a common obstacle for many community members needing to access necessary mental health care across Los Angeles, and is regularly exacerbated by social phenomena such as stigmatization, discrimination, and/or criminalization. Such socioeconomic barriers often compound, and can quickly lead to revolving doors of vulnerabilities including mental illness, homelessness, substance use, and incarceration.

Over 50% of individuals experiencing homelessness in LA County face mental health challenges (increasing significantly to over 70% for those experiencing chronic homelessness) and nearly 50% face substance use challenges. Moreover, recidivism rates are higher among those facing substance use, mental health, or housing challenges, and increase as vulnerabilities increase. Thus, while mental health affects everyone, there remains disproportionate access to crucial resources and services for those who cannot afford it and/or who often need it most.

As an expert in mental health and supportive housing services, Alcott has long recognized the necessity of robust wraparound services which attend to the whole person as the most effective approach in ensuring mental and housing stability and community wellbeing.