Julio Natividad Homelessnes

 Homelessness 

by: Julio Natividad 

Civic Engagement:  According to the New York Times, civic engagement means working to make a difference in the civic life of our communities and developing the combination of knowledge, skills, values and motivation to make that difference. It is to promote the quality of life in the community through both political and non political ways. 

    It is without question that homelessness in Los Angeles is becoming a question of concern, prior to COVID-19 homelessness in the city was already on the rise, and when the pandemic hit, health and the economy took it's toll on many people in low-income residents that left them in housing security and some were left homeless. 

    In a recent report by the UCLA Luskin Center for History and Policy, the homeless crisis largely began back during the second World War, when the housing development within the city could not keep up with the rapid population growth. In 1942 there was an implementation of federal housing development and a strict enforcement of rent control as a response. However, there became a redlining into the federal aide and it started excluding most people of color from the start of the crises in the early 40s up until today where strong racial disparities is present. 

    One big factor that plays in homelessness is metal health issues, and during the 1950s a sweep of closure went cross many of the mental health institutions in Los Angeles as well as other major cities across the United States, this left those impoverished people with mental illness out on to the streets, sometimes into jail and many cycled through those two. Those who have mental health issues fall deeper into, some of the driving forces that cause homelessness, mental health, substance abuse, abusive family, that become more so of a problem with the lack of structural forces available such as poor economic conditions, low cost housing, and inefficiency in mental health issues. Most of the time people believe that drug use habits are what caused these people to end up on the streets but that most certainly isn't the case. These pre-existing conditions is what causes them to hit the streets, and turn to substances to cope with being homeless

Around 67% of the homeless population has either mental illness or suffers from substance abuse.

The Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority released that around 66,436 people are currently homeless in Los Angeles County as of count during June, 12 2020 that represents a 12.7% rise from the headcount in 2019 

    Homelessness has a big impact in local communities, it impacts all of us whether or not we experience it ourselves. I grew up and have lived in the Echo Park community my whole life and within the recent years, there has been an alarming rate on the homelessness in the community. It has become a daunting public health problem, people will often relieve themselves in public places such as businesses, restaurants and worst of all out on sidewalks, public park greenery, etc. 

    People without housing are high consumers of public resources, and generate expense than bringing in income for our community. It also hurts certain sectors such as tourism, homelessness draws away income to local businesses which means less income for other people. Homelessness is an economic problem, but more than all it's a humanitarian problem, a people's problem, it is our problem. A recent study also shows that it can cost the city around $23,000 for one person to be homeless for one year where this includes, shelter stays, jail time, emergency room visits, rehabilitation centers, etc.

Solutions

The most important is to make sure we prevent people to end up on the streets, people who are at the brink of homelessness, meaning someone or a couple who has an income and are making ends meet however an unexpected tribulation occurs whether that is an increase in rent from the land lord, to health emergencies where people have no where to turn. Solid Ground is a program designed to help families falling deeper into cracks, if they are experiencing financial hardships, they can go a Family Source Center in Los Angeles City where they can get up three month of assistance with rent, transportation, food, etc. 

Taking part in LAHSA outreach and become a part of CARE team efforts, where members take efforts in cleaning up neighborhoods, expand trash services and proper sanitation and reach out to our community members living in encampments. So far  LAHSA has put 1,033 people in to permanent housing, have provided around 8,511 has referred people to mental health care programs, help with identification cards, and placement to emergency shelter. As of October 1st, 2020 CARE teams have provided outreach to 2,404 individuals and provided 8,939 services to connect unsheltered residents to housing, shelter, and programs. Altogether, our crews have completed 3,353 cleanups at homeless encampments, removing 4,228 tons of solid waste, 18,265 sharps and needles, and 15,529 pounds of hazardous waste from City streets.

    I chose this issue because, the city of Los Angeles is often seen as this glitz and glamour fair weathered, cool, chill vibes place. Although I don't argue that, I very much love our city, but it would also be unfair for me not to raise eyebrows on the problems that we see everyday as Angelenos. I chose this because it's a human tragedy, our very own community members live in tents, under bridges, on the side of freeways, vulnerable to harsh weather, violence and we turn a blind eye on them. I can't fathom that just right down the street from me, there are people lying around on sidewalks, living amongst rodent and unwanted critters, I feel discomfort knowing that people just walk around sticking needles in their systems because it's one way that takes away the pain from the struggles that they face. That makes me feel that I'm being irresponsible as a member of my community, it's as if I have let fellow citizens down.

References

         n/a, n/a. “Momentum on Solutions to Homelessness.” Office of Los Angeles             Mayor Eric Garcetti, Office of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, 7 Feb.             2020, www.lamayor.org/momentum-solutions-homelessness.

        n/a, n/a. Homelessness, 2020, www.homewardboundwnc.org/wp-                                 content/uploads/2013/02/Homelessness-Dec.-2012.pdf.

n/a, n/a. “The Definition of Civic Engagement.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 7 July 2003, archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/ref/college/collegespecial2/coll_aascu_defi.html. 

         Smith, Doug, and Benjamin Oreskes. “Are Many Homeless People in L.A.                     Mentally Ill? New Findings Back the Public's Perception.” Los Angeles                     Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2019,                                                 Q                   www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-10-07/homeless-population-                        mental-illness-disability.

        Wolf, Jessica. “The History of Homelessness in Los Angeles Points to New                 Approaches.” UCLA, UCLA, 10 Feb. 2021,                                                         newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/history-homelessness-new-approaches-los-            angeles.