Where are the Homeless? They are Everywhere
No longer look eastward to India, look in your own backyard. States reporting the highest homeless counts include the populous states of California, Florida, New York, and Texas. Similarly, some of the nation’s densely populated cities also have high homeless counts: Los Angeles, New York City, San Jose, Seattle, Oakland, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Phoenix. While homelessness is most often identified with urban areas, suburban areas are not exempt, and rural homelessness accounts for 15 percent of the total. The rural homeless experience different problems from their urban counterparts. Often there is a complete lack of shelter and it’s difficult to find resources or medical care.
The Pandemic
The onset of a pandemic is a surefire way to expose the growing fissures in an already dysfunctional society. The United States has been harmed for years by the widening gap of income inequality, where the operative tenet of the greed of a few at the expense of many is entrenched in our culture. During the pandemic, there has been an increase in the number of people, especially families, facing eviction and foreclosure, resulting in the loss of their homes. This might be a possible explanation for the increasing homeless population. One thing is certain, though: Of all at-risk groups, the homeless are uniquely situated to be in danger of becoming sick during the pandemic.
Now there is a mounting death rate for the homeless. In San Francisco, the department of public health reported that deaths tripled in what they defined as the unhoused population. A May 2020 report by Capital & Main stated that the deaths of the homeless increased by 32 percent in Los Angeles. Another report in Time, Inc indicates that homeless deaths in Washington, D.C. increased by 54 percent. In New York City, the Coalition for the Homeless reported a death rate up
by 75%.
Not all deaths are directly attributed to COVID-19. There are indirect factors that come into play. During 2020, many facilities that work with the homeless shut and services stopped. For example, in rural Wheeling, West Virginia, it was reported that “there was not one indoor shelter that was open from March until the fall of 2020.” For a population that is already at high risk, not having access to health services and shelters means the difference between life and death.
The Journey Among the Homeless
Dr. Shankar-Brown’s journey among the homeless spans the arc of her lifetime. One of her childhood projects involved creating a safe space for children at a nearby family emergency shelter. She saw that the children did not have a place to study—to be themselves, to play—to be children. “Through girl scouts I had opportunities to do projects,” she said. “This was going to be my project. I was so passionate because I knew such a space was missing and direly needed. Amma (mom) encouraged me and my leaders let me go.” She set about to get support from community leaders and businesses, and used the proceeds to buy books and board games, puzzles and art supplies. She worked with a local carpenter to build bookshelves and a small desk. She and her younger sister painted the space to be more cheerful for children. When the project was finished, seeing the children enjoy the space made all of the difference in the world to her—it was a lesson that even a small action can make a big difference.
Homelessness statistics by state, United States Interagency Council on Homelessness (2019)