The General
Footballguy
How you keep housing affordable is a more complicated than building more apartments though so I wouldn't put it solely on NIMBY folks. DTLA was probably one of the cheapest places to rent in LA, no? Skid Row has been there for the last 2 decades that I have been going to LA.Yes. The problem is that once someone becomes homeless the odds of them forgoing medications, turning to drugs, developing mental illness, etc. skyrockets. Then you have the kids that now are forced to grow up in that environment. I think many like to pretend there is nothing that could have been done, but that’s complete BS on its face. If someone really believes that 50%+ increases in rents, mortgages, etc. aren’t putting families into the streets they deserve a swift kick in the head and a dunce cap.
Edit: This isn’t meant to be directed at you. This idea that these people were/are a lost cause permeates the Bay Area. Sure, people are willing to fight for homeless rights and pay for shelters, but very few are willing to make the sacrifices to actually prevent homelessness. It’s a crass, inhumane attitude. These people live in conditions that make immigration detainment centers look like the Ritz.
I'm sure there are a lot of issues compounding this problem and many things can been done but it also has to come down to a simple numbers game at some point. As population grows you are going to have a certain percentage of the population that is going to have problems that lead them to be homeless.
It is very frustrating, sad, and pretty scary to be honest that in this great economy that so many people are left behind. Doesn't bode too well.