Focus on substance abuse, ey? That sounds like casting the problem as criminal, in a sense, which is where I would expect that biased approach to go.

Homelessness is not only a matter of the big three: mental illness, substance abuse, criminal record. In fact, substance abuse can be a secondary factor after someone is living on the streets.

This is a complex issue, of course, but it should be clear that in recent years the problem of low wages and high rents plus a lack of even any low-income housing breaking ground are strong contributors to this growing crisis and that is obviously what needs addressing with mental illness, (which can also be induced or exacerbated by the stress of homelessness, it is living at survival level and is often dangerous) and other factors as an aside, not that much is done in regards to that and effective treatment is at issue.

I am sure people have seen the studies that indicate that HOUSING FIRST is the most important factor concerning the problems of homelessness. Human beings require stability and shelter as well as the essentials for cooking, hygiene, etc. in order to be able to utilize other forms of help with various problems once the stress factors are mitigated.

Damn them!

about Trumpers "handling" any major issue like this, especially homelessness, when we've seen how they've been handling immigration. I see nothing good in the future.

I volunteer at a cold weather shelter. It’s also the only shelter that is a “wet” shelter. We take alcoholics and drug addicts, even if they’re drunk or high. If they cause a disturbance, the police are called, but that happens less often than you might think. Of course, drugs and alcohol are not permitted in the shelter.

Is it difficult? At times. But if this shelter were like the other shelters in town, some might be picked for a night in the local police station. And done of them would die.

It’s really quite a simple equation. And I very much hope that this shelter is never compelled to turn away someone who is under the influence.

But it's in the top 5, and it's had a huge spike in reported numbers for 2019 over 2018. (With DC, HI, OR ahead of it.)

no matter who comes up up with it, the homeless here in Los Angeles and the rest of California need help!