Karina Ruiz

Homelessness In Los Angeles 

Research on Homelessness 

Homelessness has been increasing in Los Angeles over the last few years. On Skid Row in Downtown Los Angeles, there are around 60,000 homeless people living in the streets (CNN politics, 2019). The sidewalks and streets are covered in trash and people are setting up tents on the sidewalks to have some kind of shelter (CNN politics, 2019). With so much trash on the streets, there are rodents that are running around the streets leaving feces which makes it very unsanitary for the people who are living in the streets. Many people who are homeless do not want to apply to get shelter because they are scared of police, they do not have the proper documentations or they do not want to lose their freedom by following rules (CNN Politics, 2019). Homeless women are the most vulnerable population. Most of the women are prone to sexual assault, domestic violence and even demands for money. Women do not have anyone or anywhere to go to in order to protect themselves. The main reason people become homeless is because people are not able to afford housing. About 53% of people first became homeless because they had financial issues (CNN, Politics, 2019). As the years go by, housing prices in Los Angeles increase drastically causing people to leave their home. Not only is lack of affordable housing a major issue but also unemployment, poverty, low wages, mental illness and substance abuse (LAfamilyhousing.org). Homelessness is not something one asks for, it can happen to anyone and it can happen when you least expect it. 

A picture I took while driving through 4th St. and San Pedro

Deaths in Homeless People 

There are many homeless people dying every year. “918 last year alone- are dying across Los Angeles County on bus benches, hillsides, railroad tracks and sidewalks (U.S News, 2019).” With nowhere to go, people are dying and they are being left on the streets buried in trash. In the past five years, 76% of deaths have jumped, “outpacing the growth of the homeless population (U.S News, 2019).” Most of the health officials state that a major increase in cause of death in homeless people is the rising of substance abuse. There are also people who are living in the streets with physical and behavioral health issues that are not being treated by professionals. Most of the homeless people are all living with unhealthy issues that is causing them to have major health problems. “One third died in hospitals and even more died outside, in places such as sidewalks, alleyways, parking lots, riverbeds, and on freeway on-ramps (U.S New, 2019).” Males outnumbered females in deaths but, female deaths percentage increased a lot faster than men. Drugs and Alcohol have a major contribution to deaths in homeless people. Most of the deaths in homeless people were related to liver and heart problems. Yet, some homeless people suffer from a chronic disease that develops and gets worse over time. Also, over the past five years, there has been an increase of deaths in young adults who were homeless. Most of these deaths were due to violence, accidents/injuries and trauma. 

2019 Stats and Facts of Homeless Population in Los Angeles County 

• 9% are under the age of 18 (laalmanac.com) 
• 31% are females (laalmanac.com)
• 15% are in family units (often headed by a single mother) (laalmanac.com)
• 28% are chronically homeless (laalmanac.com)
• 15% have substance abuse disorders (laalmanac.com)
• 25% suffer from mental illness (laalmanac.com)
• 7% were victims of domestic violence (laalmanac.com) 

Tips on Helping the Homeless 

Tip 1: Acknowledge & Engage 

- Most homeless people are lonely. If you happen to see a homeless person on a street, bus stop or anywhere, make sure to acknowledge them. If they start a conversation, stay engaged in the conversation. You might learn a little bit about them and their situation that might have caused them to become homeless. Just make sure you do not stigmatize or stereotype the homeless (bowery.com).

Tip 2: Be Ready to Help Today 

- There are some homeless people who need help getting through a day. If you see a homeless guy searching for food, you can offer them something you have for example: a banana, a granola bar or even water. It does not always have to be cash. You can also offer them to buy them food but it is really up to you in what way you want to help. Just make sure to ask first before helping because they might not want your help and that is okay (bowery.com).

Tip 3: Help During Any Season

- Homeless people go through a hard time during the summer and winter time. During summer, they do not have a home that has an air conditioner or even a shower. If you have some summer clothes that you do not like or it does not fit, you can give them away to a homeless person because they will need it. Since they are in the heat all day, you can provide them with water to avoid having a heat stroke or dehydration. During the winter, it is the same thing. If you have blankets, scarves, gloves, beanies, sweaters, jackets, socks or shoes you do not use, you can always help a homeless person who does not have any of those things. Homeless people are sleeping in the cold and they might suffer from hyperthermia because they do not have the proper wardrobe. Just make sure that before helping, simply ask if they are in need of any help (bowery.com).

Tips 4: Understand and Tell
- One of the biggest problems is misunderstanding who homeless people are. They are people just like anyone else. Homeless people are stereotyped and stigmatized in a negative way which makes it hard for people to help them. Everyone has a different story and we have to understand that some did not choose to become homeless because it just happens. Maybe if we become more aware of that, we will be able to help them a little more (bowery.com).

Personal Impaction 

In the beginning I did not think homelessness affected me directly but once I started to do my research and go out to my community I realized that it did. Over the years, I have met different people with different stories about how they became homeless. My family owns a restaurant which I help them out in almost everyday during the summer. On Thursday June 27, 2019, one of our daily customers that we had not seen in a while came into our restaurant and told me that her and her husband were homeless. They had lost everything. She lost her job, her husband got sick and could not work and now they were living in her car and showering in the park. Seeing her and her husband in a way I have never seen them before was very heart breaking. You would never imagine that it would happen to someone you know. My family and I tried to help them as much as we could by providing them with food and water. They were very grateful but I wish I was able to do more to help them. I chose to do this issue to help spread awareness about homelessness. Some people are so quick judge homeless people saying that they are "lazy" or "why can't they get a job?" But in reality so many homeless people have lost their jobs, are disabled, cannot afford housing or suffer from mental illness. By choosing this issue I want people to try and help a homeless person. If you already help in any way, keep doing it because at the end of the day, you are making them and yourself happy. Homelessness has to stop increasing and we can start by helping. 

Community Members 

Alexander Grande
"Homelessness is a major issue because it belittles our fellow man and allows major problems in health and economic impact to those who harm those who are struggling to survive everyday."

David DeLeon
"Homelessness is a major issue as of many of them are veterans who fought for this country and parents being supported."

Edwin Rendon
"Homelessness is a major issue as it interferes with the American Dream where no one should live in poverty."

References 

Causes & Solutions. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://lafh.org/causes-solutions 

Homelessness in Los Angeles County. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.laalmanac.com/social/so14.php 

Ramirez, G. (2019, June 18). LA's homeless crisis: Too many tents, too few beds. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/18/politics/los-angeles-homeless-crisis/index.html 

Reaching out and helping the homeless. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.bowery.org/homelessness/tips-help-homeless/ 

The Homeless Are Dying in Record Numbers on the Streets of Los Angeles. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.usnews.com/news/healthiest-communities/articles/2019-04-23/homeless-dying-in-record-numbers-on-the-streets-of-los-angeles