California's Increase in Homelessness Higher than All Other States Combined
Golden state homeless epidemic continues to spiral out of control
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A new report by the Department of Housing and Urban Development has revealed that the increase in homelessness in California in 2019 was higher than all other states combined.
Homelessness in the U.S. increased by 2.7% in the last year with California as the driving force.
But despite the Golden State increase, the majority of other states saw homelessness decreasing.
HUD said in the report:
"While the rest of the country experienced a combined decrease in homelessness in 2019, significant increases in unsheltered and chronic homelessness on the West Coast, particularly California and Oregon, offset those nationwide decreases, causing an overall increase in homelessness of 2.7 percent in 2019."
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"Twenty-nine states and the District of Columbia reported declines in homelessness between 2018 and 2019, while 21 states reported increases in the number of persons experiencing homelessness."
"Homelessness in California increased by 21,306 people, or 16.4 percent, which is more than the total national increase of every other state combined," the report continued.
According to the annual report, on a single night in January 2019, 567,715 people were reported as homeless by the state and local planning committees, or Continuums of Care.
Moreover, the homelessness figures are up by 14,885 people since 2018.
Additionally, people experiencing chronic or long-term homelessness increased by 8.5% in 2019.
But the rise was reportedly focused on the West Coast, with the highest being in California.
"As we look across our nation, we see great progress, but we're also seeing a continued increase in street homelessness along our West Coast where the cost of housing is extremely high," said HUD Secretary Ben Carson.
Governor Gavin N has done a really bad job on taking care of the homeless population in California. If he can’t fix the problem, the Federal Govt. will get involved! https://t.co/2z8zM37PUA
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 25, 2019
Nancy Pelosi’s District in California has rapidly become one of the worst anywhere in the U.S. when it come to the homeless & crime. It has gotten so bad, so fast - she has lost total control and, along with her equally incompetent governor, Gavin Newsom, it is a very sad sight!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 26, 2019
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"In fact, homelessness in California is at a crisis level and needs to be addressed by local and state leaders with crisis-like urgency," he added.
"Addressing these challenges will require a broader, community-wide response that engages every level of government to compassionately house our fellow citizens who call the streets their home."
Earlier this year, President Donald Trump slammed California's Democrats for not dealing with California’s homelessness epidemic and has ordered White House officials to address the issue.
According to the Washington Post:
"Top officials representing the White House and the Department of Housing and Urban Development arrived in California this week for a round of meetings."
White House spokesman, Judd Deere, said:
"Like many Americans, the president has taken notice of the homelessness crisis, particularly in cities and states where the liberal policies are combining to dramatically increase poverty and public health risks."
"President Trump has directed his team to go further and develop a range of policy options for consideration to deal with this tragedy," he added.
