Homelessness in LA is on the rise

Grace Gypes, Staff Writer

The combination of Los Angeles County’s population of 10 million people living within 4,500 square miles and extremely high housing rates has led to the consistent rise of the homeless population in Los Angeles. This has caused problems in various areas around Los Angeles, including Samo. Samo students have acknowledged this epidemic for years, but the problem continues to occur. 

Due to the pandemic, Los Angeles has experienced ever rising rent prices and an economic shutdown resulting in many people finding themselves jobless. A study done by NPR in June of 2020 stated that over 66,000 people live on the street, in shelters or in vehicles compared to the 2019 rates of just 44,000 people. Over the course of just one year, the homeless population has risen by 14 percent. 

The issue of homelessness can be attributed to high rents, a shortage of affordable housing, heavy drug addictions and the ongoing effects of COVID-19, including lack of steady jobs and low access to health care. A recent UCLA study said that by the end of 2020, 36,000 people or more would end up being evicted from their homes. 

Los Angeles recognizes and attempts to address the problem by putting millions of dollars into housing as many homeless people as possible. According to a study done by the LA Homeless Services Authority in 2019, 23,000 people were housed within interim houses. These interim houses, built by the Department of Health, provide housing to adults dealing with mental health diseases and homeless children. Interim houses provide safe and clean shelter, 24-hour general oversight, three meals each day, linens, clothing, toiletries and case management services. 

Another major cause of increased homelessness in Los Angeles is gentrification. The gentrification of Santa Monica specifically has been a slow process for the past 60 years. For example, what used to be referred to as “dog town” is now one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Los Angeles. This area was once home to local businesses, but these establishments have been torn down to make room for chain coffee shops and stores that are unaffordable for many.

Santa Monica is also very ethnically and economically diverse. As a result, the city is left with a big wage gap, some adults making more than a million dollars annually, while others are living on the street. Santa Monica is in the process of relocating homeless people from the city. Since the passing of Measure H in early 2017, the city has begun giving $300 million annually to help the decline of the homeless population by relocating them and getting them into rehab facilities or interim beds. 

Many homeless people choose to stay around populated areas like downtown Santa Monica and Samo. Elsa Eastwood (’23) shared her experiences with such people. 

“One time a homeless man asked if he could see my flute. When I said no, he started following me and yelling at me until I got onto the bus,” Eastwood said.

Despite the numerous causes of homelessness and the challenges of finding an effective solution, it is up to policy-makers and informed citizens to make choices that can break down the causes and create sustainable solutions. 

Homeless man looking at a statue of a homeless man on Wilshire and 26th.

Rachel Levin / The Samohi

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