30% INCREASE In Homelessness Since 2023 While Economy Grows!?!
The Jimmy Dore Show
Deep Dive
Why has homelessness in the United States increased by 30% since 2023 despite economic growth?
Homelessness has increased due to the lack of affordable housing, natural disasters, and a surge in migration. Despite economic growth, the funds allocated to solve homelessness have often been misused, and there is a systemic failure in addressing the root causes of homelessness, such as healthcare and living wages.
Why are efforts to count the homeless population often inaccurate?
Point-in-time counts are often done during winter when more people are in shelters, making it easier to find them. However, these counts fail to account for the many homeless individuals who are not in shelters and are hard to locate, leading to underestimates of the actual homeless population.
Why are some government officials and nonprofits accused of misusing funds intended for homelessness?
There is significant evidence of mismanagement and misallocation of funds. For example, in Santa Cruz, a civil grand jury found it impossible to audit the homeless program, and in Los Angeles, an audit revealed lax accounting practices and the failure to reclaim millions in cash advances to contractors. This suggests that some officials and nonprofits are using funds for personal gain or luxury projects rather than direct solutions.
Why do some wealthy individuals and companies oppose solutions to homelessness?
Wealthy individuals and companies often benefit from the status quo. They may invest in prisons or luxury housing developments that are subsidized by public funds intended for affordable housing. Additionally, the existence of homelessness helps suppress wages and keeps the lower class working harder and taking less for fear of losing their homes.
Why is the housing first model criticized by some?
The housing first model is criticized for being a scam that often results in the conversion of affordable housing units to market rate after a few years. This means that while the initial project may seem like a solution, it ultimately does little to address long-term homelessness and can be seen as a money laundering scheme.
Why are homeless people often unable to afford housing even when they have jobs?
Many homeless people have formal earnings but are unable to afford housing due to high costs, bad credit scores, and lack of affordable options. For example, in Santa Cruz, a person with a job and a bad FICA score cannot qualify for housing, leading to a cycle of homelessness.
Why are homeless people often criminalized in the United States?
Laws have been passed in several states and cities making it illegal to live outside, which can lead to the criminalization of homeless individuals. This is often done to clear streets and neighborhoods without providing actual housing solutions, and it is frequently influenced by the Prison Industrial Complex and wealthy individuals with vested interests in these policies.
Why is universal healthcare proposed as a solution to homelessness?
Universal healthcare would help reduce homelessness by providing necessary medical support and preventing individuals from losing all their possessions when seeking emergency care. A significant portion of the homeless population is disabled or has health care debt, and access to affordable healthcare could prevent them from becoming or remaining homeless.
Why are private citizens and nonprofits like Food Not Bombs playing a crucial role in helping the homeless?
Private citizens and nonprofits like Food Not Bombs are often more effective because they directly provide essential items like food, tents, and sleeping bags. In contrast, government programs and large nonprofits frequently fail to deliver tangible solutions due to mismanagement, high salaries, and a lack of accountability.
Why do some cities and states oppose building drug rehabilitation facilities?
Cities and states often oppose building drug rehabilitation facilities due to public opposition and lobbying from groups that demonize the homeless. These groups argue that drug rehab facilities 'enable' drug use, despite the fact that many homeless individuals have drug addiction issues that contribute to their homelessness.
- 18.1% increase in homelessness in 2024
- Cumulative increase of approximately 30% over two years
- Lack of affordable housing as a major driver
- Overrepresentation of Black people among the homeless
- Significant increase in families and children experiencing homelessness
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