Who’s unhoused in California? Largest study in decades upends myths
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Re: Who’s unhoused in California? Largest study in decades upends myths
#2"Nearly half of all unhoused adults in California are over the age of 50"
This is a senior citizen health and housing crisis... When my dad got old and demented, it nearly broke us trying to take care of him physically, mentally and financially. I can totally see how families give up forcing senior citizens into the streets.
Re: Who’s unhoused in California? Largest study in decades upends myths
#3I’m a recent divorcee who was unhoused for the past few months but sheltered in very cheap hotels in San Francisco before recently signing a lease to continue living in an SRO on a month to month basis.
The divorce was a shock to the finances but not a big one. I make over $100k and am just now zeroing out my debt, much of which was education related.
The reason I haven’t signed a serious lease for a proper apartment in the city is because I look at apartment prices and just can’t bring myself to pay $2300+ for a place for myself. Studios below that price or living out of the city do not appeal to me, nor does living with roommates after a few recent experiences with that. I don’t do drugs or have any mental health issues.
I think there are others like me in the city - willing to accept Spartan accommodations rather than throw thousands of dollars to live in slightly better conditions - but I have not yet met any.
I feel like I am basically gentrifying the lowest level of housing before homelessness.
My finances are healthy and I am saving at a decent clip which is similar to a huge raise in salary.
I get that SF is one of the most expensive cities in the world, but when I look at other housing markets, I’ve noticed that rents are more similar to SF than in the past.
Millennials are pretty strained financially right now, Gen Z even more so. Minor shocks that would have been inconsequential for previous generations have become embiggened.
Re: Who’s unhoused in California? Largest study in decades upends myths
#4"Nearly half of all unhoused adults in California are over the age of 50" This is a senior citizen health and housing crisis... When my dad got old and demented, it nearly broke us trying to take care of him physically, mentally and financially. I can totally see how families give up forcing senior citizens into the streets.
This data highlights how pernicious that the recent debt ceiling deal added work requirements for food aid for people over the age of 50.
https://msmagazine.com/2023/06/16/mccarthy-debt-deal-snap-wo...
Re: Who’s unhoused in California? Largest study in decades upends myths
#5I am currently homeless in Washington state (disabled with Schizoaffective Disorder) and for them to be surprised that “most people want housing” is pretty obvious.
I know my illness is made worse by the stress of living in a minivan, but no one cares.
I am nearing 60 as well. Being mentally ill and white is a death sentence in “the richest country in the world”.
Re: Who’s unhoused in California? Largest study in decades upends myths
#6I’m a recent divorcee who was unhoused for the past few months but sheltered in very cheap hotels in San Francisco before recently signing a lease to continue living in an SRO on a month to month basis. The divorce was a shock to the finances but not a big one. I make over $100k and am just now zeroing out my debt, much of which was education related. The reason I haven’t signed a serious lease for a proper apartment…
Sorry to hear about your struggles and I genuinely hope you’re in a good place now.
Inflation is brutal. As the head of a 6 person household, rent, groceries, and gas are eating up way too much of my budget. I make just under 6 figures and with trying to maintain the modest activities my children were in before inflation hit and paying down debts it’s pretty much paycheck to paycheck living.
Re: Who’s unhoused in California? Largest study in decades upends myths
#7> Most participants in the research reported that the cost of living had become unsustainable before they lost housing, reporting a monthly median household income of $960 in the six months prior to homelessness.
I don't think $960 could afford 6 months of rent along with other daily expenses, regardless of where you live in the US. I get that the rent is high, but that income isn't going to support you anywhere, so it's not true to say homelessness is primarily caused by high rents.
Re: Who’s unhoused in California? Largest study in decades upends myths
#8"Nearly half of all unhoused adults in California are over the age of 50" This is a senior citizen health and housing crisis... When my dad got old and demented, it nearly broke us trying to take care of him physically, mentally and financially. I can totally see how families give up forcing senior citizens into the streets.
Seniors have by far the best umbrella of social services in this country. They have healthcare and a gazillion other services that a sane country gives to everyone.
Re: Who’s unhoused in California? Largest study in decades upends myths
#9I am currently homeless in Washington state (disabled with Schizoaffective Disorder) and for them to be surprised that “most people want housing” is pretty obvious. I know my illness is made worse by the stress of living in a minivan, but no one cares. I am nearing 60 as well. Being mentally ill and white is a death sentence in “the richest country in the world”.
> Being mentally ill and white is a death sentence in “the richest country in the world”.
How would it be better if you weren't white? Is there some racism going on in social services provided?
Also, this isn't really the richest country in the world on a per-capita basis. Switzerland, for example, is a lot richer than America.
Re: Who’s unhoused in California? Largest study in decades upends myths
#10> Most participants in the research reported that the cost of living had become unsustainable before they lost housing, reporting a monthly median household income of $960 in the six months prior to homelessness. I don't think $960 could afford 6 months of rent along with other daily expenses, regardless of where you live in the US. I get that the rent is high, but that income isn't going to support you anywhere, so…
I suspect the person hasn’t had an opportunity to go apartment hunting in some time.
And I’m sure even a few months of homelessness will play tricks with your memory and thinking.