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Understanding the Root Causes, Effects and Solutions to Bay Area’s Homeless Issue
Overview
The San Francisco Bay Area is home to one of the largest homeless populations in the US.
35,118
homeless individuals in Bay Area
67%
homeless unsheltered
3rd
city with greatest homeless population
By the Numbers
50%
of growth in US homeless population between 2017 and 2020 can be attributed to SF Bay Area
90+
homeless individuals per 10k San Francisco Residents
2/3
of Bay Area’s homeless come from Alameda, San Francisco and Santa Clara counties
It is important we understand the complexity of homelessness. The issue does not boil down to one CAUSE or SOLUTION.
EXPLORE CAUSES
How People Become Homeless
Housing Crisis
Between 2011 and 2017, there were 531,400 new jobs created in the Bay Area, but only 123,801 new housing units were approved. This 4.1 ratio between jobs and housing units greatly exceeds the EPA’s recommended ratio of 1.5. As a result, a housing shortage has plagued the Bay Area with high competition and inflated prices. According to Compass real estate data, Bay Area home prices have sky rocketed 143% from 2012 to April 2021. In San Jose, the median home price is nearly $1.5 million (Zillow).
This housing market boom has impacted low income households. In particular, 5000 housing units have been lost for individuals living 30% under the median income. Affordable housing has declined 24% for individuals who earn half the median income. Today, more people are at risk of homelessness, as higher rent corresponds to higher rates of homelessness.
Efforts are being made to amend this housing issue. The Regional Housing Needs Allocation (RHNA) in California has promised countless new affordable housing units. However, the state often misses their housing growth targets because they are not penalized for doing so. Between 1999 and 2003, the Bay Area was projected to have built 97,000 fewer units of affordable housing than recommended by RHNA.
The Bay Area is unable to build housing at the rate at which people are becoming homeless.
143%
increase in housing prices from 2012 to April 2021
$529,000
cost to build a rehabilitated affordable home in the Bay Area (2018)
97,000
fewer affordable housing units built than recommended by RHNA
Government Support
Systemic Racism
African American General vs Homeless Population in Bay Area
Why is there systemic racism with homelessness?
There is a persistent wealth gap and lack of economic opportunity for communities of color. This inequality dates all the way back to redlining, where African Americans were not given the same mortgage opportunities as white individuals.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health
Why Substance Abuse and Mental Health Issues Expand Homelessness
Becoming Homeless
- People are more likely to withdraw from friends and family
- Face unique difficulties maintaining employment
Once Homeless
- More likely to abuse alcohol and illicit drugs as a coping mechanism
- Their mental illness exacerbated from a relatively treatable illness to something that is more severe, making rehousing very difficult
Substance abuse and mental health issues leave individuals in a constant loop of chronic homelessness.
Half of the Bay Area’s homeless population report having one health condition that makes it hard for them to regain housing.
Homelessness has many effects on an individual's health, safety and more
EXPLORE EFFECTS
Health
Average age of death is 51 for homeless in LA and SF, which is 37% below housed average (81 years)
Fraction of average homeless person’s life span in comparison to housed average
Safety
Percentage of homeless deaths in San Francisco attributed to violence or traumatic injury (Between 2016 and 2018
Percentage of homeless deaths in Santa Clara County due to vehicle related accidents (2016)
Covid-19
- Homeless Americans are twice more likely to be hospitalized by COVID-19 infections, two to four times more likely to require critical care, and two to three times more likely to die.
- Due to common vulnerabilities like chronic pulmonary disease, diabetes, and coronary artery disease.
- Homeless are more likely to spread Covid-19.
- This is because they lack access to basic amenities needed to regularly wash hands, disinfect surroundings, and store food for extended periods of self-quarantine.
- Shelters may help, but it is very hard to social distance in these shelters
- During the beginning of the pandemic, there was an outbreak at MSC South homeless shelter
