National numbers
An estimated 744,313 people experienced homelessness in January 2005, according to a study by the National Alliance to End Homelessness. A lot of people, huh? Yeah, the number may seem a bit startling, but what if I tell you that 10.8% of those people are in the Greater Los Angeles area alone?? What if I told you that 7.5% of those people live in a community including only about 50 blocks out of the countless blocks in Los Angeles. Well, it's the truth. I'm sure you knew homelessness was a problem, but Skid Row is just down the street from our school - less than a five minute drive - and here we are paying thousands to be educated. At least we can be educated about our neighborhood, don't you think?
So here are the facts:
- On any given day, there are an estimated 68,608 homeless people throughout the Greater Los Angeles area, according to the 2007 Homeless Count Report released by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. Some studies say the homeless population reaches to 240,000 in Los Angeles alone.
- The vast majority of them remain unsheltered.
- In 27 cities surveyed, the homeless population is 49% African-American, 35% Caucasian, 13% Hispanic, 2% Native American, and 1% Asian.
- Single adult males make up the largest homeless population.
Central City East
Now to those 50 blocks we were talking about before - the ones bordered by Main, Seventh, Alameda and Third Streets - that area you might know of as Skid Row. And the homeless population there on any given night...an estimated 5,131.
The demographics of the Los Angeles homeless population varies a bit from the national
statistics. African Americans make up 50% of the homeless population, compared with only 9% of the country residents falling under the same ethnic category. Latinos represent 33% of the homeless, while representing 47% of actual residents. The Caucasian homeless makes up 14%, while representing 30% of the total LA County population. The least dominating ethnic group is Asians and Pacific Islander, making up 2% of the homeless and 12% of the overall residential population.
Journalists have described Los Angeles' Skid Row as a "wretched" place that resembles a "Third World Country:" a "human landfill." Drug addicts, physically disabled, mentally ill and sexually corrupt assemble along these 50 some odd blocks. Victims of domestic violence, the uneducated and laid off are also accounted for. And when compared to other major cities like New York or Chicago, Los Angeles takes the prize for most homeless...by almost two-fold.
But even though some of the most undesirable individuals can be found at Skid Row, others have just hit a bit of bad luck. Some are quite educated and have had functional, productive pasts. Regardless of their backgrounds, many Skid Row dwellers have accepted and embraced their community. I spoke to a few homeless people in the area who say that journalists have it all wrong, that Skid Row has treated them very well, and without it, they don't know where they'd be.
Below is a slide show of familiar scenes visible around Skid Row.
Homeless habitats
Of those 5,131 people that make Skid Row their home, approximately 3,334 reside in shelters and 1,797 live on the streets, in encampments and in vehicles.
So if all of these people are homeless, the question begs to be asked: where do they sleep?According to a 2007 survey conducted by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, these were the most common living arrangements at night:
- 41% of respondents were living outdoors or on the street.
- 17% of respondents were living in an emergency center or temporary housing
- 7% were living in some type of vehicle
- 5% indicated they were living in another situation not listed as a survey response.
So many are on the streets. What's wrong with shelters? Well, the survey asked that too, and it's not for lack of trying. 35% of respondents reported that they tried to access a Los Angeles County shelter or transitional housing program (or both) within 30 days prior to taking the survey. Of those respondents, 45% stated they had been turned away...32% from an emergency shelter, 4% from a transitional housing facility, and 10% from both.
- 69% of those respondents reported a lack of available beds. This was the number one reason for being denied admittance to the shelter.
- 8% cited not being able to follow the shelter rules as the reason they were turned away.
- 6% cited lack of identification.
- 5% cited alcohol or drug problems.
- 10% indicated other reasons not listed as a response on the survey.
BUT there ARE homeless shelters in and around Skid Row to take advantage of. Here's a map with their locations and phone numbers. The blue box indicates the area of Skid Row.
Literacy Program
Picture courtesy of: Google Images
The DWC offers
Case Management
Arts Workshops
