STATE OF HOMELESSNESS 2/19/25
The homeless catastrophe unfolding in the United States, and the Bay Area in particular, is hampered by a top-down approach that is expensive, ineffective, and lacks dignity. Homeless Dignity aspires to change this with a ground-up approach, powered by compassion, which will prioritize the needs of the homeless over the needs of society. This will entail serving the homeless, instead of merely helping them.
The recent Supreme Court case Grants Pass vs Johnson allows cities to conduct homeless "sweeps" without the need to provide shelter. This has had a devastating effect on the homeless community because it gives cities the illusion that they can "solve" their homeless problem, but all it does is cruelly displace the homeless.
A quick synopsis of homelessness:
770,000 homeless in US (2024)
an 18% rise in one year -187,000 in CA
a 60% rise in the last 10 years -39,000 in the Bay Area
$24 Billion spent on homeless in last 10 years in CA
And homelessness got worse. It was determined that there was no system in place to track where the money was spent.
These numbers are likely to get worse in the coming years, because of widening income disparity and the current political climate. Below is a mere sampling of the current predicament, culled from recent news articles:
Tiny Homes given to homeless are being subleased by their intended tenants for cash to buy drugs and remain on the street
Governor Newsom is withholding funding to cities who don't conduct homeless sweeps
Santa Clara County is using EPA authority to conduct sweeps along waterways. The FAA's authority is also being cited to conduct sweeps in airline flight paths
several cities are towing RV's that are lived in, with very little alternatives in place. San Jose estimates 2,000 vehicles are targeted, and they have promised a "safe parking lot" for 85 vehicles. This has created a "merry-go-round" situation, where RV's simply move onto side (residential) streets
CA cities have an aggregate 71,000 shelter beds available, and well over twice that is needed, and that gap is widening every day
31% of older CA homeless are black, compared to 6% of the population
Fremont enacted an "aiding and abetting" clause, which provides for a $1000 fine and 30 days in jail for anyone who materially helps the homeless
Homeless Dignity aspires to serve the homeless with a needs-based, ground-floor approach, which is specific, and tailored to the individual — not a one-size-fits-all method. Funding will be largely through grassroots and individual donations, which will eliminate graft and provide more bang for the buck. It will empower individuals with the following formula: good attitude yields good intention, yields good behavior. Homeless Dignity will cultivate intrinsic motivation by using tenets of Self-Determination Theory:
Autonomy - freedom of choice. Allows for intrinsic motivation and a commitment to progress
Competence - showing individuals they are effective and capable. This fosters motivation.
Relatedness - builds connection, community, and a sense of belonging. Cultivates a pursuit of goals and self-worth and a sense of purpose
If you are reading this, I need your help. Tens of thousands of homeless human beings need your help. Tap into your innate compassion and lend a hand. Think about how good you will feel if you change someone's life. It will change your life as well. If you can support Homeless Dignity in any way, whether financially or with your labor, I would appreciate it. You can reach me with questions, comments, or suggestions at homelessdignity1@gmail.com.
Peace, Dan