Constructing Supportive Housing: Addressing California's Homelessness Crisis

California has been making efforts to construct supportive housing to address the homelessness crisis. However, the question remains: will these efforts be enough to make a significant impact?

Yes, building more supportive housing will help mitigate the crisis. The challenge is the sheer scale of the problem. Los Angeles, for example, has approved more supportive housing units in the past three years than in the previous thirty. The entire county has been actively working on constructing these units. In addition, an extra sales tax has been passed to fund the construction of more supportive housing, and ground has been broken on close to a dozen projects countywide.
However, the challenge is that there are still a significant number of units needed to keep up with population increases and the demand for affordable housing. Housing is the only way to solve homelessness, and the current construction efforts are falling short by a large margin.

New Affordable Housing Is Unaffordable

Unfortunately, any new housing that should have been in a more affordable price range now starts at $1000 per month. The waiting list for less expensive apartments is almost closed, and these places are often run down and managed by neglectful landlords. This makes it incredibly challenging for individuals, especially those at the poverty level and the homeless, to find suitable living arrangements.
It's crucial to recognize that the homelessness crisis is not only about a lack of shelter, but also a mental health crisis. Until the underlying issues are addressed, the situation will persist. There needs to be more focus on mental health support and programs like Habitat for Humanity, which encourage pride and involvement in one's community.

Current Construction Efforts Fall Short

Despite the efforts, the current supportive housing projects in California do not meet the scale necessary to address the issue. Los Angeles, for instance, is building 5000 supportive housing units for a homeless population of 50,000, and 500,000 people at risk. While these projects will help to some extent, they do not even begin to counteract the trends caused by other California policies such as restrictive zoning, housing impact fees, and Prop 13 rent control. These policies have caused the problem in the first place and continue to exacerbate it.

Addressing the Housing Crisis

For California to effectively tackle its housing crisis, it may need to get worse before it gets better. Pro-housing candidates for public office were mostly defeated in the March 2020 primary, which favored the status quo. Addressing the housing crisis will require significant changes in policy, increased public awareness, and a collective effort from all segments of society. It's time for everyone to get off their feet and start helping those in need.

Conclusion

Building supportive housing is a positive step, but it's not enough. The situation in California requires a multi-faceted approach that includes not only the construction of more affordable housing but also addressing the underlying mental health issues. By working together, California can move towards a solution that truly helps the homeless and addresses the broader housing crisis.