Summary

This page offers reports and news about about poverty and homelessness in the United States.

Quick Facts

• There are 65,000 homeless people in Los Angeles alone. [Source]
• In California, New York, and Florida there are 270,000 homeless. [Source]
• There are 580,000 homeless people in the U.S. [Source
• In 2015, Utah Reduced Chronic Homelessness By 91 Percent. [Source]

Success Stories

In 2015, Utah became the first state to reduce chronic homelessness by 91 percent. [Source] Following Utah’s success, other states and some municipalities have used a similar approach. Finland is also an example of success with addressing homelessness. [Source] Some news of those success stories are on this page.

Making Poverty Illegal

Recently, a popular approach to addressing the homeless problem is to make it illegal. Presumably, the thinking is, if homelessness is illegal people will stop choosing to be homeless. Some municipalities have approved fines of up to $500 for people living on the streets.

News

Stories are listed below in chronological order with the most recent at the top. Each entry header indicates the source and date.

PBS NewsHour (28 Apr 2023)

“The obstacles preventing homeless veterans from finding housing in Los Angeles” — On any given night, more than 65,000 unhoused people are living in Los Angeles. There is not enough affordable housing, and even when there is, some people struggle to get into those units, including veterans on disability. Stephanie Sy looks at some of the obstacles leading to LA’s homeless population, the largest in the country. [Source]

CBC News (23 Apr 2023)

“The tiny homes making a massive difference” — In Kitchener-Waterloo, Ont., the problem of chronic homelessness is being addressed by a community of tiny homes. The housing project, called A Better Tent City, is funded by private donations. [Source]

Al Jazeera (19 Apr 2023)

“Street papers changing the perception of homelessness” — ‘Street papers’ are part of the media landscape worldwide – providing the unhoused vendors who sell them an income, and the audiences that read them stories surrounding homelessness. [Source]

The Project – Australia (16 Apr 2023)

“Homeless People In Darwin Copping Fines For Sleeping Rough, But There Aren’t Enough Beds” — Homeless people in Darwin are copping fines for sleeping rough, but there’s also a shortage of beds to go around, so is it really fair? [Source]

KTLA 5 (14 Apr 2023)

“Homeless encampments growing next to Beverly Hills” — Some Beverly Hills residents and business owners are expressing concern for their safety as homeless encampments expand along this affluent city’s border with Los Angeles. The encampments have appeared along San Vicente Boulevard near Orlando Avenue, just south of the upscale Beverly Center shopping mall. Residents reported seeing a homeless woman, who they believe was intoxicated, lying naked on an abandoned couch. [Source]

WBRC Fox 6 News (14 Apr 2023)

“City of Birmingham working to end housing inequity” — [Source]

CBS 8 San Diego (13 Apr 2023)

“San Diego City Council considers banning certain homeless encampments” — The City of San Diego is considering a new ordinance that would make it illegal to set up homeless encampments along locations considered to be at high risk of public health and safety. The proposal is being presented on Thursday to the City Council’s Land Use and Housing Committee. Those in favor of the unsafe housing ordinance say it would make the city safer, while those against it say it doesn’t solve the problem. [Source]

ABC7 News (10 Apr 2023)

“Oakland begins to shut down of Wood Street homeless encampment” — After months of delays due to a court order, work to clear out the massive Wood Street homeless encampment is underway. [Source]

TODAY (7 Apr 2023)

“How this faith-based town is helping end homelessness” — In an area around Austin, Texas, sits Mobile Loaves & Fishes, a community that could help provide an answer to chronic homelessness. Reporting for TODAY, NBC’s Harry Smith visits the village and learns why the plan has proven results. [Source]

Explained with Dom (6 Apr 2023)

“How Finland Found A Solution To Homelessness” — [Source]

CNBC (7 Mar 2023)

“Why The U.S. Can’t End Poverty” — 37.9 million Americans are currently living in poverty, accounting for 11.6% of the total population. That’s despite the fact that America ranks first as the richest nation in the world in terms of GDP. Poverty in the U.S. is not only a humanitarian crisis but an economic one as well. About 11% of the federal budget, or $665 billion goes to economic security programs every year. Child poverty alone is estimated to cost the U.S. over $1 trillion based on the latest research. So how did poverty become such a big issue in the U.S. and why is it so difficult to end it? [Source]

ABC 13 Houston (11 Feb 2023)

“Houston officials clear largest homeless encampment under US-59” — Residents in the encampment, known as ‘Tent City,’ located near Minute Maid Park, were allowed to go to the Navigation Center in Fifth Ward for shelter. [Source]