#homelessepidemic

[2voicesfromthestreetz]

We've all heard of Las Vegas. We've seen the pictures, we've seen the gambling. We've seen the partying. We've seen the fun.

But that is NOT the real Las Vegas.

We (my husband and I) have seen the REAL Las Vegas. The crime of Las Vegas. The homelessness of Las Vegas. We have seen things we shouldn't have had to see.

And we did it together!

Not once did either one of us throw in the towel and leave each others side. Let me break this down of how, and why, we had to go through this.

We planned on moving to Vegas, but we had it planned for at least another year or two, to save money.

We ended up getting job offers after putting in some applications on a whim.

We used the money we had to take these offers up, start a new life, in a new city, almost 2500 miles away from our home (PA).

The first two nights were great. Because we got to see Freemont St and the new strip in those two days. But we also got some bad news. The jobs we had offers for fell through, never answered us. We started moving onto calling/emailing the other jobs we also applied for. (We're not stupid, we didn't just rely on one job.)

Our last day in the hotel, after checking out, is when the real city came into play...

The homeless epidemic is real. The amount of people on the streets is unbelievable. But what's being done about it?

Almost next to nothing.

I have to admit, a majority of them don't want to help themselves. They don't try to change their situation. But, in all reality, they can't.

Jobs look at you like you're a piece of shit. People walking by look at you like you're a piece of shit. Just because someone doesn't have everything you have, does not make them a piece of shit.

There are some that want to change, and they want to change their situation. But they can't.

And it's sickening.

I heard the mayor and all his buddies want to open a state prison in Southern Nevada, and place all the homeless there. Um, why? Because they're all criminals? No. What's putting the homeless in prison going to do? It's not going to change their situation, only give them a record.

Here's an idea.

Instead of a prison, why don't you buy some of the abandoned hotels and homes, make requirements, and have the ones who WANT to change stay there? Place stipulations (i.e. get a job and pay a low rent). How hard was that? If someone doesn't adhere to the rules and stipulations, then you don't help, because then, at least, you tried.

Vegas makes so much money, and I get you all would rather spend that money on making the casinos, hotels, and strips bigger and better. But why not use some to help the shelters? Or make more adequate shelters?

Is it because we're not good enough? Is it because we're pieces of shit?

Wanna know something?

Some of us are not.

I left my CITY job to go to Vegas for a job offer that fell through. Nothing was working out, and my husband and I ended up homeless.

We may not have been on the streets for as long as a majority of them in Vegas, but the 4 days we were... It felt like an eternity. We are not like that.

We got help for the first bus we could to get out of there.

To go back to our home. Our jobs. Our life.

So... All in all, this experience has been a huge eye opener. Especially seeing how bad this homeless epidemic actually is.

I hope none of you "higher powered" never have to experience what we've had to experience. What thousands of people have to live through every single day, because they don't have help (or they don't want it).

Because I can guarantee your hot wife won't stick by your side. And your friends? Pfft... Forget about them.

Sincerely,

One pissed off "piece of shit" city worker.

👌

[backroombuzz]

California Democrats Refuse To Own Their Homeless Problem, Instead, They Blame It On White People

Anyone visiting any of California’s major cities over the past few years will immediately notice three things, the poop, the smell and most of all the homelessness.

Read the full article

[iitrillwest]

#PT.4. #SQUATENLAW. #HOMELESSEPIDEMIC #AMERICA #CAPPUCCINOFILMSCAPTION

[iitrillwest]

#PT.2. #I.LIVE.IT.FOR.TRILL. #HOMELESSEPIDEMIC #GOODDEEDS. #SAVETHECHILDREN. #CAPPUCCINOFILMSCAPTION

[iitrillwest]

#GODSPLANS. #HOMELESSEPIDEMIC. #DR.X/FYI. #RADOM.DEEDS

[champagnepopme]

There’s been a lot of talk about the homeless epidemic going on in Seattle. You see it on every block for miles. I hope around this holiday season people keep in mind that everyone goes through trails that don’t necessarily change them for the better. The world can be an unfair and trepid place that will stunt growth in people that show the most potential. To pull ones self up by their bootstraps is not always an option for those that are born and live their entire lives in complete squalor. I continually try to remind myself to learn to have patience with people such as this. Show them love and compassion. You have no idea what goes on in their world. Try to remember, even Satan started as an angel. 💭 #homelessepidemic (at Seattle, Washington)

[treesdancealone]

#homeless #homelessness #RealBayArea #incomeinequality #housingisahumanright #bayareabytreesdancealone #homelessepidemic #onthestreet #ByTreesDanceAlone #housingcrisis #mentalhealthcare #Survival #mentalhealthcrisis #Medicare4All #AmericanStreetsByTreesdancealone (at Mission District, San Francisco)

[journalistrivera]

Homelessness, part of LA’s culture?

Los Angeles, my city, city of Angels.

A city famed as the center of the nation’s film industry were anyone can see that iconic Hollywood sign, and the display of celebrity stars known as the Walk of Fame. This is a city which has attracted people from all over the world to enjoy its perfect weather and endless day and night activities, not to mention the skyscrapers of Downtown. This is a city to be rich in culture as well as those who reside in it, but it faces a huge problem, homelessness. 

For those who visit it the first time, this is a shock, how can there be homeless living amongst the city’s glamor? For us Angelenos, this is not a surprise. The homeless epidemic has only gotten worse, and most of us cannot go a day without witnessing someone living on the street. I know most of you have heard and read about this problem whether it be on the news, a newspaper, a documentary, or maybe heard or know of someone who ended in this unfortunate situation. Whatever the case may be, it has become part of the Los Angeles culture. Growing up I have become accustomed to this sight and now more than ever as the homeless population grows. I never realized it to be an important issue because it was part of where I grew up and part of the city’s landscape, until one day I witnessed a mother and her two young children in the corner of a freeway exit, asking for any help. This had such a huge impact on me that I have decided to educate myself on the matter, and bring awareness in the hope that some of you may want to take action and help diminish, if not end, homelessness in Los Angeles.

Last year, city officials and elected leaders declared the city in a “state of emergency” on the growing homeless population and committed to $100 million towards helping homeless receive basic services such as housing and food among others. According to the Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority, the homeless population jumped 12% in the last couple of years with nearly 26,000 of them residing in the city alone. Places like skid row, where homeless have a chance at receiving shelter, is not enough to house them all.

Why is this happening, and why has the city not taken action?

In 2015, the Los Angeles Times reported on the issue and found that experts blamed the increase of rents, low wages and high unemployment rates to have contributed to this matter. There is also the problem of gentrification in downtown, where affordable hotels and single-room apartments are being replaced for luxurious condos and apartments, to attract “wealthier people,” and remove those who cannot afford these apartments, out of sight. The city’s affordable housing fund is now trying to provide more money, so that homeless have a roof on their heads, but political support has been remote.

This is a sad and frustrating reality that my city has to face on a daily basis. As more and more luxurious condos and beautiful apartments are being built, more and more people are being thrown to the street, unable to afford a single-apartment home because of ridiculous rent prices. I am yet no expert on the matter, but one thing is for sure, I am seeing younger people and more families living on the streets with nowhere else to go, and that, is fact.

What are your thoughts on this?