The American Dream doesn't look like what Americans imagined. The ethos of equality, freedom, and democracy is a defiant representation of today's vision of the USA. Although homelessness affects the whole country, California's statistics draw particular attention to the importance of the problem.
Let's take a walk along the main streets of Los Angeles. Tents are spread out on the sidewalks. At first glance, it might resemble a strike. Tent next to the tent, we expect it to be a temporary situation. Soon, we see more things and people, some setting up a small grill. Something seems off... People with shopping carts, sometimes covered in blankets, a half-naked young man on high heels with tattoos, and two African Americans talking to each other on the street, carrying cardboard boxes, smile friendly at me, as if they were neighbors in a residential neighborhood. Usually, however, the homeless completely ignore passers-by. People treat them as if they were part of the street. Some seem surprised that I see them.
While visiting the Walk of Fame and searching for my favorite artists, I came across a strange personality late at night. It gave me a shiver of unease. I came across a black panther. Wrapped in black, the figure watched me crouching, ready to pounce. I carefully continued walking. The African-American man did not move at all, only his eyes followed me. I tried to smile and wave, but nothing moved him, as if he wasn't from this world... somewhere stuck in his own. Unfortunately, there are a lot of such people in LA. Walking the streets at night, you can come across drug addiction, prostitution, and people talking to themselves, and it's an everyday sight. How can we understand that the famous LA, a hallmark of America, also known as the Entertainment Capital of the World and a cultural mecca, cannot effectively deal with this problem?
Why does California have the highest homeless population in the United States?
Homelessness is a social problem that affects many countries worldwide, although who would have expected that the United States has such surprising statistics. There are several factors that distinguish this country from others.
Firstly, the US is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, and at the same time, it has one of the highest social inequality rates among developed countries. Homelessness often results from poverty and a lack of adequate means of living, such as housing, insurance, or access to education.
Secondly, the social welfare system in the US is relatively poorly developed compared to other developed countries. Many homeless people do not have access to basic social services, such as shelter or healthcare. Moreover, homeless people in the States are concentrated in large cities, which makes homelessness particularly visible and palpable.
LA, KALIFORNIA 2022, Anna Chajda
The homelessness situation in California is particularly serious and is one of the biggest social problems in the state. According to 2021 data, there are over 160,000 homeless people living in California, which accounts for nearly 25% of all homeless people in the USA. One of the main causes of homelessness in California is the high cost of living. Housing in cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego is among the most expensive in the country, making it difficult for many people to afford. High property prices lead to situations where people have to live on the streets, in shelters, or in their cars.
Another factor is the lack of safe jobs and low wages. Many people working in industries such as service, healthcare, and hospitality earn below the legal minimum wage, making it difficult for them to rent a home and support themselves.
The state government in California is trying to address this problem by investing in assistance programs for the homeless, such as building affordable housing, financial assistance programs, and healthcare programs. However, there is still much to be done to alleviate homelessness in California and help people in difficult life situations.
Is the US government doing anything useful in this matter?
As you know, Joe Biden has expressed strong support for addressing the problem of homelessness in the United States since the beginning of his term. He has actually undertaken many initiatives aimed at improving the situation of homeless people. As part of the American Rescue Plan program, $5 billion was allocated in March 2021 to fight homelessness and provide assistance programs for homeless people. These funds are to be used, among other things, for building affordable housing, financial support for non-profit organizations, and medical assistance for homeless people. The plan aims to build 100,000 housing units over 10 years and modernize existing housing units. President Biden has also pledged to strengthen assistance programs for homeless people, such as the Homeless Assistance Program and the Hud-Vash Program, which provides housing support for veterans.
In the past, the US...
According to experts, Donald Trump's administration did not engage sufficiently in the fight against homelessness in the United States. This seems to be confirmed by the fact that the number of homeless people in the USA increased during his term. In 2019, the Trump administration proposed a $2 billion budget cut for assistance programs for homeless people, which was criticized by NGOs and experts. In addition, President Trump often expressed hostility towards homeless people, referring to them as "dirty" and "dangerous".
However, it cannot be said that the Trump administration did not take any action on homelessness. In 2019, President Trump signed a law to address the opioid crisis, which included the construction of housing for people in difficult life situations. In addition, in 2020, financial resources were provided to combat homelessness and assist organizations dealing with this issue as part of the CARES Act rescue package.
From the Golden State to the Sunshine State. Differences in homelessness statistics
According to a report from the California Department of Human Resources in 2021, the state has seen an increase in the number of homeless people in recent years. In 2020, there were around 161,000 homeless people in California, which represented about 27% of the total number of homeless people in the United States.
In the case of Florida, according to data from the Department of Housing and Urban Development in 2020, the number of homeless people was around 31,000, which represented about 5% of the total number of homeless people in the United States. It can be observed that California has a significantly greater problem with homelessness compared to Florida.
Anna Chajda
The American dream versus reality. Tragedy on the streets
