Why are there so many homeless camps now in California?
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Property values and rent are very high there, but there’s not enough money for people to be housed on their income. It’s also one of the most populated states so overcrowding becomes an issue, leading to competition for houses and jobs, which raises prices and lowers wages. There’s always a greater fool, after all. It doesn’t help that certain groups (women, LGBT, etc) are driven there because they’re one of the only states where they have full legal protection.
Massive increases in production, housing costs, food costs, medical costs, etc… Without a concurrent increase in compensation. So, people can’t afford to live in a house.
The answer to your question is because the current policy on homeless on the west coast is ignore addiction and mental health problems, sell a narrative of housing cost and proclaim they want that life it’s their right.
Supply and demand economics based on the scarcity principle isn’t feasible in a 21st century global economy.
Other states also bus their homeless out there.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2017/dec/20/bussed-out-america-moves-homeless-people-country-study
Most likely a genocide ingredient… In addition to the high rise cost of living now that food assistance can be had it’s easier to to find shelter that’s somewhat passable while creating a community with standards that “helper organizations” can exploit through off the books pay scales and health and nutrition experimentation conducted with self assessments and further assistance for specific “needs” while indoctrinating the communities both inside and outside to trust and distrust those chosen by the individuals that pass freely between both environments, often in disguise… The rehab community regularly PAYS people in need of rehab services in Massachusetts to travel to California for services including airfare and incentives as well without assistance to return so I’m sure transplants are noticed in the homeless community… Forced Migration…. Just another ingredient pushing people around wasting their resources and time creating a trickle effect that creates the same base problem across all lines
Nimbys – Residents use their voting power to choke housing supply and drive up cost by not allowing for higher density housing. They are currently on the back foot as the State is mandating higher density housing plans and some of the cities are fucking around and they’re about to find out.
Reagan – As Governor, he obliterated California’s mental health care system in the 60’s
Reagan 2 Racist Boogaloo – As president Reagan gutted social investment, which is implicitly racist, as it disproportionately affects POC, and places of diversity like Cali. Democrats also shifted Conservative after being but fucked by Reagan at the polls.
Systemic Racism – After the Civil Rights Act passed most racist politicians pivoted to a tough on crime platform working with Reagan to gut social investment and make POC poorer, and more likely to commit crime. Democrats also adopted these policies to curry favor with the public but it is unknown if they new the policies are racist or just they fell for the “It Ain’t Racist if it isn’t Explicitly Racist” rhetoric
Wall Street – Purchases home as a speculative investment then sell to another investor, who then sells to another investor in an endless circle jerk raising home prices.
Landlords – Raising prices citing the “market” even though THEY ARE THE MARKET.
Climate – Los Angeles and San Fran have decidedly less lethal climates than other places in the US making them attractive to homeless
Other states – With Cali’s liberal attitude, other states will ship their people here who haven’t committed a crime worth prosecuting, but are a public nuisance and are otherwise a blemish on their conservative vision
Corporations – Raising prices citing “Inflation” yet reaping record profits.
Rent Control – In an attempt to keep old tenants from being evicted, rent control was enacted. But it only scared away any developers willing to create higher density housing further choking the housing supply.
Wages – Despite having the 3rd highest minimum wage in the Union, the minimum wage has lagged behind and in certain places should be double what it currently is in California.
Developers – Renting at inflated rates despite apartments building not at or near capacity because it’s more profitable than undercutting the Market and renting for cheaper.
Helping but on Authoritarian terms – Rather than just helping people no strings attached, authoritarians demand those they help only receive help if they conform to their vision.
Insanely high real estate prices and rents make it harder for even working people to afford a place to live as well as other necessities of life.
It’s a combination of 3 factors.
1, Housing is very expensive in California.
2, The climate in California is mild, you don’t have very cold winters, so people can reasonably live outdoors.
3, California is a liberal state, with lots of sympathy for homeless people and lots of programs to help them. This allows them to be there, and encourages them to come there.
Because California has a law that prevents cops from forcing homeless people to re-locate unless they have a particular place to put them. So the homeless of skid row decided to migrate to nicer communities and invading affluent areas and suburbs because no one can stop them now.
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