Our
View: Apathy toward homeless unacceptable
The issue of homelessness is, for many people, a moot point. Yes, there are homeless
people, but what are we supposed to do about it? Haven’t there always been
homeless people? What’s new?
Although there have always been homeless people, the population of people living
on the streets is growing at a disturbingly fast rate, especially in California,
and few people realize how closely they live to the poverty line.
Since the ’70s, when former California Governor Ronald Reagan closed state-funded
mental hospitals, many people living with mental disabilities have been homeless,
living without essential resources or the ability to acquire them because of
their condition. In addition to the problem of stranded, mentally-handicapped
people is the ever-increasing value of California soil.
The property value in California continues to skyrocket despite the lack of resources
available to many California residents.
The possibility of finding affordable housing is perpetually diminishing, leaving
many residents without a place to go if they are down on their luck.
The Los Angeles Times recently ran several articles about the prevalence of homelessness
in Los Angeles, and on Skid Row in particular, shedding light not only on what
happens in these small communities but also what circumstances have left people
in the dire situation of not having adequate housing.
Too often people assume people become homeless because they are lazy and simply
don’t want to have a job. While this may be true of some homeless people,
it certainly does not apply to the majority.
The May 7 edition of the L.A. Times included a profile of a woman who used to
work as an interior designer, but a series of unfortunate events left her and
her small dog living out of her car. What’s more surprising is she is gainfully
employed as a receptionist, but simply cannot afford to move out of her car.
Although this single case does not prove the majority of homeless cases, it certainly
is a reflection of a proportion of homeless people who defy the common misperception
about this increasing population.
For most people it is much easier to pretend there is nothing wrong or homelessness
is the product of one person’s mistakes. However, it is important we begin
to acknowledge this tremendous issue by taking full advantage of our rights as
citizens and petitioning our government to provide for these people.
Recently, the Los Angeles Police Department announced it would be enforcing a
more stringent code of behavior among the homeless, including tougher regulation
of drug use, and begin encouraging people to get off the streets and into homeless
shelters. While this may be a necessary development in the government’s
handling of the problem of homelessness, it is extremely overdue.
Homelessness has been a serious problem for decades, but many L.A. leaders have
refused to acknowledge or address the quagmire of homelessness because of the
amount of funding and long-term commitment necessary to even begin to chip away
at this monumental issue.
The recent interest in cleaning up the streets of L.A. has almost perfectly coincided
with the development of posh condominiums in the downtown area. Even Jan Perry,
councilwoman and representative of the 9th district of Los Angeles, wrote an
editorial to the L.A. Times defending the position to take homeless people off
of the newly valuable and trendy areas. She said it is nearly impossible for
someone to walk down the street without being exposed to drug use or threatening
behavior.
By merely implementing laws more strictly in the areas heavily populated with
homeless people and neglecting to create more social programs to rehabilitate
them, there will just be a displacement of where homeless people live rather
than a permanent and lasting solution.
Some cities have created exemplary programs to deal with the issue of homelessness.
Santa Monica is an example. That city began a program called the Chronic Homeless
Project two years ago. It helps people who have lived on the streets for extended
periods of time.
The issue of homelessness is not something that should be a priority only for
California residents to ensure their own safety.
As kind and concerned human beings, we also have an obligation to act in the
best interest of others and help those in need, especially those with disabilities
and handicaps.
|
