The worst-case scenario of the housing crisis: Homelessness

Support for LAist comes from

Podcasts AirTalk

This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.

This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

Aug 31, 2017

Listen • 29:57

The worst-case scenario of the housing crisis: Homelessness

All week, KPCC is looking at the worsening housing crisis in Southern California, looking at the origin of the problem, where we stand, and the potential solutions.

Los Angeles Police Department officers patrol on bicycles past a homeless man napping with cigarette in hand at his encampment on a downtown sidewalk in Los Angeles, California on June 7, 2017, a city facing a growing homeless population and less affordable housing. / AFP PHOTO / FREDERIC J. BROWN (Photo credit should read FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images)

All week, KPCC is looking at the worsening housing crisis in Southern California, looking at the origin of the problem, where we stand, and the potential solutions.

Today, AirTalk opens up the phones to talk to Southern Californians who have experienced or are currently homeless.

The number of homeless people in Los Angeles County has gone up 23 percent from last year, according to the annual homeless census. Rising rents is a major culprit of the problem.