The Increase of Homeless in California

                                       The Increase of Homeless In California 

by Blanca Jimenez 

                                    

            

                    When we think of  California specially with in the city of Los Angeles we think about many things such as perfect weather, Hollywood and movie stars we think about the diversity of people and its culture. But we never think about the other side of California or as many would call it the bad-side filled with trash and people living in the streets. From sleeping in sidewalks to having community of tents and now the increase of stationary mobile homes. Homelessness have become a serious social problem, and it has been rapidly increasing and everyday there seems to be another encampment, and streets filled with random trash that pollutes our city.  Homelessness does not only bring overcrowded streets of tents but it brings an unsafe community, where the crime rates increase people fear for their safety even in their own homes and the community resources begin to decrease. 

What defines a person as a homeless?

A individual or a family that lacks resources, such as a permanent residence to live or sleep. A person that is in need of assistance of a shelter. Most of the time the person may choose to live in the streets and refuse to live in a shelter for certain reasons, such as been in fear of living with too many unknown people. 

Effects of been Homeless

 According to an article in Cal Matters the data provided is nothing more than just an estimate based on the declarations of vaulters they stated that they would only based the numbers on the numbers tents seen on site, meaning that the numbers are only a guess of what they seen. The article stated that "The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which requires the counts every other year, compiles the data from across the country into an annual report submitted to Congress. Last year, the department tallied 181,399 unhoused Californians — 28% of the nation’s total homeless population. That’s up nearly 40% from five years ago.” People are also traveling to other counties to benefit from their social services and the speculation was that they have been part of that county for years.

            According to The School of Public Health, homeless have a higher premature mortality because untreated injuries, overdosing and even the effects of extreme weather. Because of the poor living conditions homeless suffer many health conditions that they never get treated or they decline treatment because of a certain substance abuse." Twenty-three percent of the homeless population in the US is under the age of 18. Homeless youth are specially vulnerable to drug use; one study found that 55 percent of street youth and 34 percent of shelter youth have used illicit drugs since leaving home, compared to13 percent of youth who've never been homeless." It does not necessarily mean that every homeless person uses a drug there could be other factors involved such as mental health issues, emotional distress and even had experienced violence or been a victim of abuse.

Reasons for been Homeless

        What are some of the reasons that homelessness has increased in the recent years. It is due to the housing crisis that has occurred in California. California has not met the demands of housing and building has been even more difficult. Even when there is a new housing project people can simply not afford it. The rents are too high and the home prices have doubled and even tripled in some regions making even harder for people to afford anything. Politicians seem to be aware of the crisis of high poverty rate poverty and the rise of prices in rents, that made them have restrictions on on construction and passing laws that made it harder for landlords to evict their tenants and limit the size of the security deposits. Mental illness, a sexual assault, family break down and many other factors can contribute to a person been a homeless.                        

CALIFORNIA

Resources and Information 

The Winter Shelter Program

Overnight shelter, meals, showers, and other services for the homeless. 

Safe Parking LA Programs

A safe and legal way to connect people living in their vehicles with resources. All locations include restrooms and security guards.

Homeless Resources Near Libraries

Connecting the homeless with helpful services near library branches. Find help with finding work, food, housing, and more. 

                     Clear Minor Violations From Your Record       

Learn how to clear minor violations such as jaywalking or having expired car tags fro your record. 

Personal Issue 

  It is not a choice for a person to be homeless there is certain issues that have lead them to that path. Homelessness is a serious issue because it affects many people with in the community. The increasing rents and unaffordable housing seems to be affecting all of us and if there is no laws or regulations to stop investors it will soon affect uses well. Even to the point where we would need to also look for a more affordable home. People living in the street also increases unsanitary pathways specially making people opt for a different route. There is also the risk of people lurking around neighborhoods.  With in years I have noticed the increased of homeless, specially with in the freeways before it was common to be seen in downtown LA now it is something largely seen with in my community. Now the main street it is filed with RVs and tents making it impossible for a pedestrian pass by. I want my community to be cleaner and for all of us to fee safe to walk to the store with out having to pass by multiple tents. 

Interviews 

Name: Jose Reyes 

Q; What are your thoughts of the homeless in our community?

A; "it is unfortunate that they are in that position, something has to be done to help them and get them out of the streets. We do know that most of them do drugs and they tend to bring that with them. They are also a public safety hazards with they blocking out streets and even causing fires" 

Name; Jesse Jimenez

Q: How does the homeless affect our community? 

A: "Because of their lack access to restrooms their hygiene quality is low and sometimes it is impossible to be around them. They also could bring diseases to the community because their lack of healthcare."  

Name:Valerie Reyes

Q; What are your thoughts about the homeless community?

A; "Society needs to make it a bigger issue than what it is now. Even when there is many shelters it seems that there is more people living with in the streets. The government know that because of the lack economy people are ending in the streets." 

Works Cited

Galea, S. (2016, Febuary 18). Homelessness, Its Consequences, and Its Causes. Retrieved from school of Public Health .

Jason Adam Wasserman, J. M. (n.d.). The ‘‘Homeless Problem’’ and the Double Consciousness*. Sociology Inquiry , 331-355.

Kendall, M. (2024, january 26). CALMATTERS. Retrieved from calmatter.org: calmatters.org

Walters, D. (2022, December 18). The real cause of California’s homelessness crisis. Retrieved from CALMATTERS: https://calmatters.org/commentary/2022/12/the-real-cause-of-californias-homelessness-crisis/