US Homelessness Reaches All-Time High
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US Homelessness Reaches All-Time High
US Homelessness Reaches All-Time High
Many are without shelter for the first time
by Newser/wires
December 15, 2023
In this photo illuminated by an off-camera flash, a tarp covers a portion of a homeless person's tent on a bridge overlooking the 101 Freeway in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
The United States experienced a dramatic 12% increase in homelessness to its highest reported level as soaring rents and a decline in coronavirus pandemic assistance combined to put housing out of reach for more Americans, federal officials said Friday.
Main number: About 653,000 people were experiencing homelessness, the most since the country began using the yearly point-in-time survey in 2007 to count the homeless population, per the AP. The total in the January count represents an increase of about 70,650 homeless people compared to a year earlier.
First time homeless: The latest estimate also indicated that people becoming homeless for the first time were behind much of the increase, and it ended a downward trend in family homelessness that began in 2012.
Other key stats: Within the overall rise, homelessness among individuals rose by nearly 11%, among veterans by 7.4%, and among families with children by 15.5%.
People who identify as Black make up just 13% of the US population, but comprised 37% of all people experiencing homelessness. And more than a quarter of adults experiencing homelessness were over age 54.
The US had been making steady progress until recent years in reducing the homeless population as the government focused particularly on increasing investments to get veterans into housing. The number of homeless people dropped from about 637,000 in 2010 to about 554,000 in 2017.
The numbers ticked up to about 580,000 in the 2020 count and held relatively steady over the next two years as Congress responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with emergency rental assistance, stimulus payments, aid to states and local governments, and a temporary eviction moratorium.
Many are without shelter for the first time
by Newser/wires
December 15, 2023
In this photo illuminated by an off-camera flash, a tarp covers a portion of a homeless person's tent on a bridge overlooking the 101 Freeway in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)
The United States experienced a dramatic 12% increase in homelessness to its highest reported level as soaring rents and a decline in coronavirus pandemic assistance combined to put housing out of reach for more Americans, federal officials said Friday.
Main number: About 653,000 people were experiencing homelessness, the most since the country began using the yearly point-in-time survey in 2007 to count the homeless population, per the AP. The total in the January count represents an increase of about 70,650 homeless people compared to a year earlier.
First time homeless: The latest estimate also indicated that people becoming homeless for the first time were behind much of the increase, and it ended a downward trend in family homelessness that began in 2012.
Other key stats: Within the overall rise, homelessness among individuals rose by nearly 11%, among veterans by 7.4%, and among families with children by 15.5%.
People who identify as Black make up just 13% of the US population, but comprised 37% of all people experiencing homelessness. And more than a quarter of adults experiencing homelessness were over age 54.
The US had been making steady progress until recent years in reducing the homeless population as the government focused particularly on increasing investments to get veterans into housing. The number of homeless people dropped from about 637,000 in 2010 to about 554,000 in 2017.
The numbers ticked up to about 580,000 in the 2020 count and held relatively steady over the next two years as Congress responded to the COVID-19 pandemic with emergency rental assistance, stimulus payments, aid to states and local governments, and a temporary eviction moratorium.
- newsgatherer
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Re: US Homelessness Reaches All-Time High
It's interesting to see how things are going in Los Angeles, under the Hollywood sign and all. If I faced homelessness, I would consider finding work in places like North Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, etc. Just grow a beard, get a new cap, and bag some groceries if you can't find anything better to do.
- Fridaywithmateo
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Re: US Homelessness Reaches All-Time High
If you are single, able-bodied, and can read ... you can work up north in the Alaska oil field and make some pretty sweet coin fast. I hear the food is amazing ... super buffets 24/7.newsgatherer wrote: ↑Sat Dec 16, 2023 11:52 am It's interesting to see how things are going in Los Angeles, under the Hollywood sign and all. If I faced homelessness, I would consider finding work in places like North Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, etc. Just grow a beard, get a new cap, and bag some groceries if you can't find anything better to do.
- Captain Bonez
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Re: US Homelessness Reaches All-Time High
The United States spent $766 billion on national defense during fiscal year (FY) 2022
If you enjoy noise pollution and obnoxious driving practices, Phnom Penh is the place for you!
This.
This.
- phuketrichard
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Re: US Homelessness Reaches All-Time High
why?newsgatherer wrote: ↑Sat Dec 16, 2023 11:52 am It's interesting to see how things are going in Los Angeles, under the Hollywood sign and all. If I faced homelessness, I would consider finding work in places like North Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, etc. Just grow a beard, get a new cap, and bag some groceries if you can't find anything better to do.
if ur homeless in CA you get assistance in the way of vouchers for food, shelters, places to shower, cheap drugs>
Why work?
used to be one of the finest cities in the states ......Now>>>
In a nation run by swine, all pigs are upward-mobile and the rest of us are fucked until we can put our acts together: not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely. HST
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Re: US Homelessness Reaches All-Time High
It is not quite as simple as that; homeless people are not just people that don't want to work. From Google:Fridaywithmateo wrote: ↑Sat Dec 16, 2023 11:56 amIf you are single, able-bodied, and can read ... you can work up north in the Alaska oil field and make some pretty sweet coin fast. I hear the food is amazing ... super buffets 24/7.newsgatherer wrote: ↑Sat Dec 16, 2023 11:52 am It's interesting to see how things are going in Los Angeles, under the Hollywood sign and all. If I faced homelessness, I would consider finding work in places like North Dakota, Utah, Wyoming, etc. Just grow a beard, get a new cap, and bag some groceries if you can't find anything better to do.
Homelessness in the United States
The major causes of homelessness include:
Lack of affordable housing throughout much of the country is considered the "root cause" of the contemporary homelessness crisis. Writing for The Atlantic in 2023, Jerusalem Demsas says that "homelessness is primarily a function of the broader housing-unaffordability crisis, which in turn is primarily a function of how difficult local governments have made building new housing in the places that need it the most.".
Lack of sufficient urban housing projects to provide safe, secure, and affordable housing to the financially underprivileged.
Additionally for low wage workers rents can be unaffordable in areas where their workplace is located.
The deinstitutionalization movement from the 1950s onwards in state mental health systems, to shift towards 'community-based' treatment of the mentally ill, as opposed to long-term commitment in institutions.
There is disproportionally higher prevalence of mental disorders relative to other disease groups within homeless patient populations at both inpatient hospitals and hospital-based emergency departments.
Redevelopment and gentrification activities instituted by cities across the country through which low-income neighborhoods are declared blighted and demolished to make way for projects that generate higher property taxes and other revenue, creating a shortage of housing affordable to low-income working families, the elderly poor, and the disabled.
Nearly half of foster children in the United States become homeless when they are released from foster care at age 18.
Natural disasters that destroy homes: hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, etc. Places of employment are often destroyed too, causing unemployment and transience.
People who have served time in prison, have used addictive substances, or have a history of mental illness find it difficult to find employment for years at a time because of the use of computer background checks by potential employers. Also inclusive of registered sex offenders who are considered unwelcome in some metropolitan areas.
According to the Institution of Housing in 2005, the U.S. Government has focused 42% more on foreign countries rather than homeless Americans, including homeless veterans.
People with criminal charges at large that are in hiding seeking to evade law enforcement.
Adults and children who flee domestic violence.
Teenagers who flee or are thrown out by parents who disapprove of their child's sexual orientation or gender identity. A 2010 study by the Center for American Progress shows that a disproportionately high number of homeless youth (between 20 and 40%) are gay and transgender.
Complex building codes which can make it difficult to build and construct. Traditional huts, cars, and tents can be illegal, classified as substandard and may require removal by the owner or be subject to removal by the government.
Foreclosures of homes, including foreclosure of apartment complexes which displaces tenants renting there.
Evictions from rented property.
Lack of support from friends or family.
Individuals who prefer homelessness and wish to remain off the grid for political and ideological purposes. Often self-identified as gutter punks or urban survivalists. The Department of Housing and Urban Development rarely reports on this counter-cultural movement, since its adherents often refuse to participate in governmental studies and do not seek governmental assistance for ideological or political purposes.
Lack of resources in place in the communities to help aid in prevention of homelessness before it becomes a crisis.
Neoliberal policies, reforms to the welfare state and the retrenchment of the social safety net.
High rents, in particular areas where individuals could pay over a third of their income on rent and related costs increase the potential of homelessness. In poor communities, landlords increase the rent burden on tenants in what they perceive to be risky investments, extracting more profits from them than their counterparts in more affluent communities, which according to sociologist Matthew Desmond and his colleague, "directly contributes to their economic scarcity and hardship and is a source of residential insecurity, eviction, and homelessness."
Low-income workers are at increased risk of homelessness as wages for the typical American worker have stagnated over the last three decades while housing costs have climbed, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness.
- John Bingham
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Re: US Homelessness Reaches All-Time High
As far as I know a large proportion of that, if not most, is used to pay veterans' pensions and medical care.Captain Bonez wrote: ↑Sat Dec 16, 2023 11:58 amThe United States spent $766 billion on national defense during fiscal year (FY) 2022
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- Fridaywithmateo
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Re: US Homelessness Reaches All-Time High
Average lifetime benefits bill for vets is $3 million ... I think there are about 19 million (was 24 mil in 2014) living veterans ... that's one big reason why they have not solved to suicide epidemic in veterans population ... they make money off it, sad as that is.John Bingham wrote: ↑Sat Dec 16, 2023 1:56 pmAs far as I know a large proportion of that, if not most, is used to pay veterans' pensions and medical care.Captain Bonez wrote: ↑Sat Dec 16, 2023 11:58 amThe United States spent $766 billion on national defense during fiscal year (FY) 2022
Re: US Homelessness Reaches All-Time High
Perhaps something like the Works Progress Administration WPA that was set up by Roosevelt in 1935. A person would be given public work in exchange for accommodations and a living stipend. Along with a mentoring program to facilitate social and work skills.
There are some that feel Ronald Reagan's decision to close mental institutions created the homeless crisis.
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/op ... -san-diego
There are some that feel Ronald Reagan's decision to close mental institutions created the homeless crisis.
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/op ... -san-diego
- Fridaywithmateo
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Re: US Homelessness Reaches All-Time High
Isn't just a bit curious how few undocumented people/families in America are homeless ... I think it has at least something to do with the strong sense of tight knit family culture and community ... something that is less common in modern USA society.
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