Melissa Amour

Melissa Amour

Development and Research Manager

Melissa is a communications professional with 30 years of experience in digital and print content production, editing, research, community engagement, and development. She specializes in telling stories that allow people not only to understand a topic but also to embrace a mission.

Written by Adam

Innovation

Solving LA’s Homelessness Epidemic: Introducing Better Angels

Why did we launch Better Angels? Co-founder Adam Miller tells the story

Adam Miller

July 16, 2024

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9

Min Reading

Housing
Prevention
Policy
Services
Shelter
Technology

Housing

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What is an accessory dwelling unit?

Housing Program

What is an accessory dwelling unit?

An accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, is a separate living area on a property with a proposed or existing primary residence.

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

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2

Min Reading

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

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2

Min Reading

How bad is the housing crisis in LA?

General Housing

How bad is the housing crisis in LA?

A simple answer to a complex problem

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

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2

Min Reading

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

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2

Min Reading

What is master leasing?

General Housing

What is master leasing?

A master lease is when someone leases housing units from a property owner and, in turn, subleases the units to others. 

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

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2

Min Reading

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

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2

Min Reading

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Prevention

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General Prevention

Prevention Programs

How many people end up newly homeless in LA each year?

General Prevention

How many people end up newly homeless in LA each year?

LA's 2023 homeless count by LAHSA jumped 9%, reaching 75,518 people experiencing homelessness.

Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

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3

Min Reading

Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

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3

Min Reading

Why are people homeless?

Prevention Programs

Why are people homeless?

Homelessness stems from personal struggles (poverty, health issues) and societal challenges (high rent, few jobs).

Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

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4

Min Reading

Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

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4

Min Reading

What is the New Leaf Project, and what does it tell us about homelessness prevention?

General Prevention

What is the New Leaf Project, and what does it tell us about homelessness prevention?

Vancouver's New Leaf Project tests if a one-time cash transfer helps homeless people more than traditional aid.

Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

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5

Min Reading

Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

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5

Min Reading

What resources currently exist in LA to prevent homelessness?

General Prevention

What resources currently exist in LA to prevent homelessness?

LA County offers free legal aid, housing resources, short-term rental assistance, and loans to prevent homelessness and eviction.

Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

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2

Min Reading

Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

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2

Min Reading

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Policy

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Election 2024: How will the results impact homelessness?

General Policy

Election 2024: How will the results impact homelessness?

Election Day 2024 has come and gone. Homelessness was on the ballot this year in Los Angeles County and throughout California. Here's what the voters decided.

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

November 14, 2024

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4

Min Reading

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

November 14, 2024

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4

Min Reading

What is Proposition 5?

General Policy

What is Proposition 5?

If you're a California voter, Proposition 5 will be on your ballot on November 5. What does it mean?

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

October 25, 2024

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5

Min Reading

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

October 25, 2024

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5

Min Reading

Who's running for City Council?

General Policy

Who's running for City Council?

Three LA City Council districts are up for election in 2024: 2, 10, and 14. Let’s take a look at the choices.

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

October 12, 2024

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8

Min Reading

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

October 12, 2024

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8

Min Reading

What is Proposition 33?

General Policy

What is Proposition 33?

If you're a California voter, Proposition 33 will be on your ballot this November 5.

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

October 12, 2024

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15

Min Reading

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

October 12, 2024

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15

Min Reading

How can LA County residents have a voice in homelessness policy?

General Policy

How can LA County residents have a voice in homelessness policy?

Some tips for making an impact on housing affordability and other homelessness issues in your neighborhood

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

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1

Min Reading

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

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1

Min Reading

What California state laws related to homelessness took effect in 2024?

General Policy

What California state laws related to homelessness took effect in 2024?

The State Assembly and State Senate passed a number of bills on homelessness

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

July 16, 2024

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7

Min Reading

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

July 16, 2024

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7

Min Reading

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Service

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General Services

Neighborhood

Resource Day

How does someone get connected with county services?

General Services

How does someone get connected with county services?

Where do you start when you need a hand?

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

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3

Min Reading

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

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3

Min Reading

What are the four types of homelessness?

General Services

What are the four types of homelessness?

No one wakes up and says, “I choose to be homeless today.”

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

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2

Min Reading

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

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2

Min Reading

Why is language important in talking about homelessness?

General Services

Why is language important in talking about homelessness?

Shifting from "Homeless" to "People Experiencing Homelessness"

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

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2

Min Reading

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

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2

Min Reading

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Shelter

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Shelter Services

Shelter Fact

General Shelter

Can I volunteer at a homeless shelter?

Shelter Services

Can I volunteer at a homeless shelter?

Shelters are always in need of volunteers. Check out the LA County Services Locator and opportunities!

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

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2

Min Reading

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

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2

Min Reading

How many people experiencing homelessness in LA are unsheltered?

Shelter Fact

How many people experiencing homelessness in LA are unsheltered?

More than 50,000 Angelenos are unsheltered.

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

October 8, 2024

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2

Min Reading

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

October 8, 2024

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2

Min Reading

No Result found

Technology

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General Technology

Innovation

How can technology be used to help the homeless?

Innovation

How can technology be used to help the homeless?

Homelessness is a serious issue worldwide and affects over half a million Americans on any given night. When basics like food and shelter are uncertain, technology is often an afterthought.

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

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7

Min Reading

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

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7

Min Reading

How does a lack of tech access affect people experiencing homelessness?

General Technology

How does a lack of tech access affect people experiencing homelessness?

While technology makes the world easier and more accessible for many people, for others, it just adds to their isolation.

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

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2

Min Reading

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

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2

Min Reading

How does tech support better data collection?

General Technology

How does tech support better data collection?

Local governments across the U.S. are turning to GIS technology to improve the accuracy and efficiency of conducting point-in-time (PIT) counts of people experiencing homelessness

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

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6

Min Reading

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

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6

Min Reading

No Result found

How many people end up newly homeless in LA each year?

General Prevention

How many people end up newly homeless in LA each year?

LA's 2023 homeless count by LAHSA jumped 9%, reaching 75,518 people experiencing homelessness.

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

-

3

Min Reading

Why are people homeless?

Prevention Programs

Why are people homeless?

Homelessness stems from personal struggles (poverty, health issues) and societal challenges (high rent, few jobs).

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

-

4

Min Reading

What is the New Leaf Project, and what does it tell us about homelessness prevention?

General Prevention

What is the New Leaf Project, and what does it tell us about homelessness prevention?

Vancouver's New Leaf Project tests if a one-time cash transfer helps homeless people more than traditional aid.

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

-

5

Min Reading

What resources currently exist in LA to prevent homelessness?

General Prevention

What resources currently exist in LA to prevent homelessness?

LA County offers free legal aid, housing resources, short-term rental assistance, and loans to prevent homelessness and eviction.

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

-

2

Min Reading

What is an accessory dwelling unit?

Housing Program

What is an accessory dwelling unit?

An accessory dwelling unit, or ADU, is a separate living area on a property with a proposed or existing primary residence.

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

-

2

Min Reading

How bad is the housing crisis in LA?

General Housing

How bad is the housing crisis in LA?

A simple answer to a complex problem

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

-

2

Min Reading

What is master leasing?

General Housing

What is master leasing?

A master lease is when someone leases housing units from a property owner and, in turn, subleases the units to others. 

Melissa Amour
Melissa Amour

July 1, 2024

-

2

Min Reading

Join Us

A generous donation can transform lives -- and our communities -- by providing vital support and resources to people experiencing homelessness in LA county, as well as the angels who serve them.

Earn Your Wings

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DONATE NOW

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Make a tangible difference in your community by becoming a Better Angels volunteer. A few hours of your time provides much-needed resources and hope to our homeless neighbors.

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