maritza vasquez-homelessness

                              

         When we think of Hollywood, we think of its famous entertainment industry; the stars and their glamour, but rarely do we talk about the homelessness problem in the neighborhood. With rent rising, and food prices increasing, we see more and more people living on the streets every day. In Los Angeles, we have had a homeless population increase of 16% since 2018, but LA is not the only city in California with a growing rate. According to research, Orange County had an increase of 42%, Alameda County is up 43%, Kern County is up 50%, and San Fransisco has had an increase of 15% (Owens, 2019). These are only a few of the many cities in the world that we talk about. Other countries also suffer from this problem, and to help everyone, we have to start in our communities, which is why I decided to conduct my research near my home in Hollywood.

     According to an annual survey by the U.S. Conference of Mayors, the top five causes of homelessness are lack of affordable housing, unemployment, poverty, mental illnesses, and substance abuse (Homelessness in America: Overview of Data and Causes, 2015). In Hollywood, there are about 2,000 homeless people and the population continues to rise. Homeless people have set up tents on sidewalks affecting people on and off the street. Residents aren’t the only ones affected; homeless people are the real victims here. They have nowhere else to go. Most homeless people living on these streets have been forced out of their homes due to gentrification. In the article Gentrification leads to Homelessness, the author says, “Gentrification is when wealthier, usually white people arrive in an existing urban neighborhood and cause changes in the community. These changes are usually very complicated and contradictory. The changes include an increase in median income of the neighborhood, increases in rents and home prices, development of luxury housing, and a disturbance of the neighborhood’s character.”(Figueroa, 2020). Because of this, gentrification primarily affects people of color and lower-income families, making them more vulnerable to homelessness. In the article Racial Inequality, reports suggest: “Most minority groups in the United States experience homelessness at higher rates than whites, and therefore make up a disproportionate share of the homeless population.”(Racial Inequality - National Alliance to End Homelessness, 2020). People who have serious mental illnesses are also vulnerable to homelessness. Reports suggest that 33% of homeless people battle mental illnesses and mental illnesses often lead to drug and alcohol abuse (Homelessness and Addiction - Addiction Center, 2020). The National Coalition for the Homeless has found that 38% of homeless people are alcohol dependent, and 26% are dependent on other harmful chemicals (Homelessness and Addiction - Addiction Center, 2020). It’s hard enough to live on the street, knowing when your next meal is going to be, and having a mental illness to combat all at once, so homeless people turn to drugs to escape their reality. These are only a few factors that cause homelessness; we have the power to help those suffering, and decrease the number of people who end up on the streets.

          I see homeless people out on the street every day. Some are peaceful, and others are frustrated, yelling at everyone they see. Some people don’t pay attention to it, but others forget they need help and result to name-calling, fighting them, or looking at them in disgust. It makes me mad because everyone judges them or harasses them. We should give them a chance and get to know them. Most homeless people yelling on the streets suffer from Bipolar Disorder, Paranoia, and Schizophrenia. Most are unconscious and don’t know what they are saying or doing. They are in extreme pain and have nothing and no one to turn to for help. I attempt to restore humanity and give others the help they need. We have to change how we treat them. I am tired of seeing people being dehumanized and living in horrible conditions. No one deserves this.

           Mayor Garcetti has been working to solve the homelessness crisis in Los Angeles for many years now. This year, he will open thousands of temporary shelter beds for homeless people due to the coronavirus crisis. We can collect food and clothes to donate to these centers to help. Once this epidemic is over, we can continue to have food drives, collect clothes for homeless people, and ask him to open more housing units, offer public restrooms, and more health services for these individuals. Not only will this help them improve their lives, but it will improve the living conditions of Hollywood residents as well.

References
AddictionCenter. 2020. Homelessness And Addiction - Addiction Center. [online] Available at        <https://www.addictioncenter.com/addiction/homelessness/> [Accessed 13 April 2020].

Figueroa, J., 2020. Gentrification Leads To Homelessness. [online] Invisible People. Available at: <https://invisiblepeople.tv/gentrification-leads-to-homelessness/> [Accessed 13 April 2020].

National Alliance to End Homelessness. 2020. Racial Inequality - National Alliance To End Homelessness. [online] Available at: <https://endhomelessness.org/homelessness-in-america/what-causes-homelessness/inequality/> [Accessed 13 April 2020].

Nlchp.org. 2015. Homelessness In America: Overview Of Data And Causes. [online] Available at: <https://nlchp.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Homeless_Stats_Fact_Sheet.pdf> [Accessed 13 April 2020].

Owens, D., 2019. Homelessness Is On The Rise. Will Sacramento Step Up With Reforms? - California YIMBY. [online] California YIMBY. Available at: <https://cayimby.org/will-sacramento-step-up-with-reforms/> [Accessed 13 April 2020].