Skid Row Homeless Population Analysis

Over the years Los Angeles has had the highest concentration of homeless people; this situation has been highly overlooked by media and political attention. Cities in many parts of the world may be known as centers for poverty, even in developed and developing countries. Los Angeles in particular is an entry point for many immigrants. This causes there to be a vulnerability to poverty. “Skid Row homeless population originates in South LA – where services and shelters lack resource adequacy and unemployment rates are high among adult men – and policy discussions rarely focus on this trend” (Howard, 4). Los Angeles Skid Row, is seen as the heaviest homeless population in the entire country. Los Angeles does provide some homeless services like …show more content…
This can lead to economic consequence. The lack of medical services in Los Angeles, continues to put many residents in danger. Due to the poor living conditions, there has been an increase in HIV/ AIDS and other diseases amongst the homeless. Housing is the first form of treatment for homeless people with medical problems, this alone helps prevent many illnesses from spreading and making it possible for those who remain ill to recover. Although as already stated many homeless people do get the opportunity to stay in a shelter but even that can increases the amount of people who could potentially get infected by diseases or be in situations where their belongings could get stolen and people could get sexually assaulted. “The doubling up adds to the slum of problems by creating overcrowding, which is also a major factor in the rapid deterioration of many homeless shelters”(Bullough, 6).The only way the spread of diseases and a decrease in violence can be controlled is to make sure everyone gets the proper health care without having to charge large amounts of money. If homeless people received the proper health care it would open up so many door for …show more content…
This is not only another challenge that could be a contributing factor in putting people into homelessness in the first place. If one is healthy and isn’t a threat to society health-wise, many may find it easier to find work. Whether it’s in something as simple as construction, gardening or even hospitality jobs like dishwashers or cooks it could really help not only themselves but the economy as well. The money they would receive could help them feed themselves and families. The increase in workers could mean an increase in new small businesses and new job opportunities. The city of Los Angeles should provide healthcare for the homeless because the city should focused on treatments to help the homeless populations. People may suffer a variety of problems such as physical disability, mental illness, PTSD, depression, alcohol or drugs abuse, developmental disability, AIDS or HIV related illnesses or chronic health problems and by providing mental health and substance abuse interventions, counseling, case management and any other kind of health care that one may need should be a big benefactor for everyone. The city should focus less on how to prevent populations from becoming homeless in the first place and more on how to help those who are currently