Most Feared, Least Wanted
1 in 5
homeless in the United States live in Los Angeles County
(AP News)
75,518
homeless individuals in Los Angeles County
(Los Angeles Times)
46,260
homeless individuals in the city of Los Angeles
(Los Angeles Times)
The numbers are huge. The discourse seems tired. The solutions feel hopeless.
Still, the homelessness crisis is very real.
The concrete ground is cold and hard. The rainy days are more than just a vibe — they’re total destruction to a unhoused person’s day. Going to the bathroom is an entire ordeal. Fresh, clean water is difficult to find.
Each of the 75,518 homeless in Los Angeles County is a real person, with a real story. Here are three of them.
Meet the “Numbers”
A homeless lady with a job and steady income, Shirrelle has chosen to live on the streets, loving the freedom she has found.
Take a journey into Peanut’s home, where he breeds birds.
After his mother suddenly died, Jason spiraled and found himself on the streets. He’s been lonely ever since.
Hope Street
Shirrelle, Peanut, and Jason all live just a block away from USC’s Galen Center, on Hope Street. Some find the street name ironic, others saddening, and others inspiring. For these three, they call it home. See the surroundings of their everyday life.
What are people doing to help?
Andrew Linares is a former homeless individual and is now the community outreach coordinator for the Midnight Mission, a homeless recovery and resource center on Skid Row. He discusses the current problems and potential solutions for homelessness in Los Angeles.
