Homelessness is a major issue in modern urban socities, and even though a lot of folks are slow to admit it, there’s actually a strong connection between gentrification an increase in homeless populations in those same locales.
One byproduct of gentrification is a hike in rental rates for the area. Recently, economists estimated that a mere 5% rise in NYC rent prices could cause more than 3,000 people to end up on the streets.
Image Credit: Pixabay
Los Angeles models generate a similar number, with around 2,000 people being forced from their homes over a 5% rent increase.
There are ways that cities can combat their homeless issue if they choose to make it a priority, and positive results are being seen in Houston, Tampa, Chicago, Phoenix, San Diego, and Saint Louis. All of those cities saw a decline in their homeless population from 2011 to 2016.
Image Credit: Pixabay
Many cities choose to implement voucher programs that cover rent for a few months at a time, which does seem to work to an extent, though underlying causes like access to mental health and substance abuse care and counseling still need to be addressed for the problem to be considered mended long term.
Responses have to be comprehensive, long-term, and committed, which means not only controlling rent prices and new development, but increasing affordable housing and shelter beds and helping people access the healthcare they need to keep their jobs and be able to pay rent.
Image Credit: Pixabay
With so many cities working on it and setting good examples, it seems as if there’s a good chance others might follow their lead, and that the working poor and lower class earners might not be the victims of “progress” in the future the way they have been in the past.
The post Here’s How Even a 5% Increase in Rent Would Affect NYC’s Homeless Population appeared first on UberFacts.