Why has veteran homelessness dropped while Latino homelessness keeps increasing? In this episode, I talk with Melissa Chinchilla, PhD, a homelessness researcher and policy advocate, about what these opposite trends reveal. We explore how the VA’s integrated approach and Housing First model helped reduce veteran homelessness, and why Latino communities in Los Angeles face rising rates, language barriers, cultural stigma, and gaps in services. Melissa also shares insights from her time on the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority Commission and her research connecting housing, health, and community.

This conversation shows what’s possible when resources align — and what happens when entire communities are left out of the conversation.