Saving the Community and the Homeless

We the people, Brianna Marquez, Arely Garcia, and Angel Schneider believe that the homeless population in Orange County, specifically Santa Ana has grown significantly in the past 2 years and is overwhelming with overcrowding in spaces that were made for housing.

The opposing sides believe that the finances that play into fixing this problem will do more harm than good to those that the homeless do not affect. The constant comeback to donating money and time into the homeless is what they do with it after is used inappropriately.

With homelessness growth rising 20% in the past two years, it is necessary to take action to building a better living situation for the displaced. The fiscal impact of health and financial issues is worth the safety and peace of the homeless and the community around the area. If this issue is approved it could be completed immediately or in a timely manner, depending on the living status and the needs of the displaced.

Although, many believe that the best help you can give the displaced is a shelter rather than a dollar, which long term wise it has been ineffective. It is a temporary solution in a long term issue. According to a piece in The Atlantic newspaper, “The Department of Housing and Urban Development did find that six out ten homeless respondents admitted problems with alcohol or drugs. Given the likelihood of self-reported bias, the actual number could be even higher.” But those who ask the homeless what they need rather than purchasing what one may think they may want, could do better good. The Atlantic Newspaper sourced that Good Magazine found, “A British non-profit that identified 15 long-term homeless people, asked what they needed to change their lives, and just bought it for them.” Some items were shoes, or cash to repay a loan. “One asked for a camper van. Another wanted a TV to make his hostel more livable. All were accommodated with 3,000 pounds and a “broker” to help manage their budget. Of the 13 who agreed to take part, 11 were off the street within a year, and several entered treatment for addiction.” With this proof that teaching and influencing the displaced to use money and equipment probably, they could simply live a better daily life and get off the street possibly within a year, much like the British. With Orange County, specifically Santa Ana being given $23.5 million dollars for the next five years to benefit and improve the homeless situation near Civic Center.

The average displaced looking for money by asking people in the community raises between $600 to $1,500 in a month. The reality that a homeless person is gaining money and with research proving that the money earned is commonly used for alcohol and drugs, proves that. If Santa Ana, took the courage to use the money given to help the homeless to provide them with more shelters and programs that clean up them up physically, mentally, or financially, it would not only keep more money in community members pockets but could possibly drop the purchasing rate of alcohol and drugs.

Overall, the need to help the homeless and the communities around them is vital, and with useful programs that may take money and time it can be done and change can be made.