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A major new study conducted by the Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative at the University of California, San Francisco, sheds light on a critical aspect of this issue: the majority of the homeless population in California are not outsiders moving to the state for its safety net, but rather individuals who were already residents of the state.
The study found that three-quarters of unhoused adults lived in the same county where they resided before losing their last home, highlighting the localized nature of the problem. (Photo: New York Times)
Study About the Homeless Population in California
While California accounts for less than 12% of the total U.S. population, it is home to a staggering 30% of the homeless population in California and half of the unsheltered population nationwide.
This disproportionate burden faced by the state has raised questions about the factors contributing to its homelessness crisis.
Contrary to widespread beliefs, the study reveals that 90% of the homeless population in California were residents of the state before losing their housing, Business Insider reported.
This challenges the notion that people migrate to California, particularly blue states, in search of better safety nets and services.
The study found that three-quarters of unhoused adults lived in the same county where they resided before losing their last home, highlighting the localized nature of the problem.
The study also exposes notable demographic trends within California’s homeless population.
Approximately 47% of the homeless population in California is aged 50 years or older, emphasizing the aging crisis faced by this vulnerable group.
Moreover, Black, Latino, and Native American individuals are significantly overrepresented among California’s homeless population, reflecting systemic disparities prevalent in the state.
Nearly 90% of participants identified the high cost of housing as their main barrier to obtaining stable accommodation.
The study’s findings debunk common misconceptions and emphasize the urgent need for policy changes to address the underlying causes of the homeless population in California.
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Addressing the Crisis of Homeless Population in California
Dr. Margot Kushel, M.D., the director of the UCSF Homeless and Housing Initiative and lead researcher of the study, highlights that the study’s results confirm the distressing reality faced by the homeless population in California.
To address the crisis of the homeless population in California, the UCSF report recommends six crucial policy changes. These include creating more affordable housing options for individuals with very low incomes, expanding rental assistance programs, and streamlining access to rental subsidies.
The report also stresses the importance of increased financial, legal, and behavioral health support to cater to the complex needs of the homeless population in California.
