Los Angeles declares 'state of emergency' on homelessness Dana Ford (Zoe Roberts 3rd Period)

Summary: The City Council of Los Angeles has formally declared a state of emergency in regards to homelessness. City Council called for around $100 million dollars in order to help get people off the streets. Since Mayor Eric Garcetti took office, according to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Committee, homelessness has increased by around 12%. Los Angeles has one of the absolute largest homeless populations in the U.S.A. today. Around 25,000+ people are homeless, many living in the make shift tent city of L.A.'s Skid Row. Proposals are calling for greater shelters and easier access to shelters and emergency treatment.

Analysis: This is unfortunately is not super surprising to me, only disappointing. Especially since mayor Eric Garcetti originally campaigned to help solve this problem. Skid Row is one of the saddest places in America, and a sort of mini tent city nestled in one of the world's most glamorous cities. People have been living in dire circumstances with little to no access to healthcare, food, and hygiene. Ever since Reagan's administration cut mental heath care funding homelessness has been an ever growing problem in America. Which should have been an expected consequence, as the severely mentally ill, those so sick they had to be institutionalized, were cast out into streets and prisons. The only way to truly resolve this problem is to give greater funding to mental healthcare organizations, as we will finally be able to treat those who so desperately need it.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/22/us/los-angeles-homelessness/index.html