Friday
October 3, 2024
HOMELESS IN USA
The 25 Cities With Largest Homeless Population
Part 1
Barbara Lynne Norwood
Major Cities
Report Data
This Chronic Population Is Increasing Not Decreasing.
As I have watched this population grow and grow in various cities, it has been very disheartening to say the least, much more frustrating at the most and a frightening future for everyone.
There have been studies since the late 1990‘s to collect data on this recurring issue. The top major cities and its residents obviously do not share the same median incomes. The study’s goal is to answer the questions surrounding the population and how they got into such a vulnerable and dangerous position to start with.
To understand the data, we must first examine the people and where they came from. The study was done in California, the largest state in the country by the California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness (CASPEH)
Dr. Margot Kushel an M.D. and professor of UCSF conducted the study from October 2021-November 2022.
The data retrieved, showed many were residents that only had a minimum combined income of less than $1000 per month. They were not from out of state as suggested by other residents.
The 300 participants that were studied, 40% of them were homeless for the first time in their lives. Most had no savings or living paycheck to paycheck. Some had debilitating injuries or illnesses. Even others were forced out by domestic violence and dysfunctional homes. The issues and factors go on and on.
No matter, they found themselves in a vulnerable position and on the streets. The research also showed that mental illness and substance abuse were contributing factors but not the cause of homelessness.
A person that was released from an institution like prison usually live in a halfway house. Those are very scarce, and then the transition becomes family members or friends.
Since there are no leases or legal notices in place, this leaves those persons extremely vulnerable and eventually homeless. There are no evident safeguards in place for homeless prevention except immediate income, savings, cash flow, and a stable place to always live.
Many contributing factors to homelessness.
A residential street covered in makeshift homes of the homeless.
The Solutions Are Unclear
Most Residents Are At Risk Of Homelessness In USA
As I did the research, the most common factor became the rising cost of living in the top cities.
From the West coast to the East coast, North and South, all had a homeless population. Since the data is based on reports from the top 25 cities in the USA, each city has shown an increase in living expenses in the last 10 years.
One resident said,
“Absolutely ridiculous that you can have two of the most important jobs out there and still barely afford to live. I hate this country.”
I researched other factors that jeopardizes everyone in the entire country. There is a search for stability by most Americans and cannot seem to attain it. The middle class makes up most but fading fast. They are the glue that is holding the economy together. They are the generations who has seen the rise of the homeless population or know someone or themselves are a part of it.
Frightening to say the least, I am also at risk of homelessness. I see myself in the many stories I read with the same narrative overtone. Not Prepared. Who is prepared for homelessness? How do you explain that there is not enough money to pay your rent when you go to work every day? When there isn’t a drug or alcohol problem. When your family cannot help you because they are in the same predicament. The 40-hour work week turns into overtime every week. It’s not just making extra money to take a trip or have an outing or buy your family some presents, but a necessity.
I remember those days and I am too at risk of homelessness. I am living paycheck to paycheck like everyone else. I work as a freelance writer. I have started to put my life back together after not having a stable residence for 3 ½ years. But I am still not outta the woods. So, now I just don’t feel so alone anymore. This seems to be the new normal.
It’s like passing a Big Pink Elephant on the way to work every morning and someone asks, “need any help?”
The Big Pink Elephant says, “Yeah, Don’t You?”
A community of homeless camped outside of a state building.
