Behind the scene of Los Angeles: Homeless

California, with Silicon Valley, Hollywood and Los Angeles…The dream of all?

We are being interested in Los Angeles. Why?

It’s the city which has the biggest number of homeless.

How can we explain this reality while the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of California (2460 billions) is more important than France?

What about homeless in Los Angeles?

I arrived at Los Angeles airport and I discovered the bustle of the city. But after five minutes on the American ground, the poverty strikes me.

I quickly understand the contrast between the rich and the poor. Whereas there are beautiful houses on the hill, many citizens live on the sidewalk with the waste. They have low salaries and the real estate is too expensive for them.

That’s why 58 000 people are homeless in Los Angeles moreover the number is increased by 23% between 2015 and 2016. Also, the increase in the cost of studies cause, 1/5 students live in the street. This situation leads to major health problems like chronically ills, opioid dependence and physical disabilities. Dowler-Guerrero, a longtime case manager and founding of the SELAH Neighborhood Homeless Coalition, says there’s nothing worse than seeing people living in feces.

What are the solutions?

Tommy Newman, director of public affairs at the United Way of Greater Los Angeles, tells us, in spite of any early hiccups, “Measure H” is on track to produce positive results. Certainly, these actions seem efficient because 14 000 homeless were rehoused but it isn’t enough!

It’s for that reason, the associations work very hard to help homeless in their day-to-day life with clothes, meal, shelters, money… They try to raise public awareness about homeless issues and to encourage Angelinos to participate in their actions on billboards.

If you ‘re volunteer, you can bring your help through the Skid Row which is the district with the most homelessness people. You can also build in your backyard an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU).

Logically, it’s really important to support all the projects which can help get housing homeless. The first thing you can do it just says “hello”. It sounds simple, but when you make eye contact with someone who is often ignored, you are telling them that moment you see them.