The California homeless population accounts for nearly a third of the nation’s homelessness, according to a new report.
The Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative (BHHI) at the University of California, San Francisco released what it called the “largest representative study of homelessness in the United States” since the 1990s, which looks at the causes and consequences of homelessness in California.
The study was conducted through nearly 3,200 questionnaires and 365 in depth interviews with adults who are experiencing homelessness in eight regions of California.
Most of the participants revealed that housing was not affordable, reporting a median monthly household income of $960 in the six months before they became homeless, according to the study, and most believed rental subsidies or a one-time financial assistance may have prevented them from becoming homeless.
PROPOSAL BANNING HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS IN SAN DIEGO TO BE CONSIDERED: WE ARE NOT A ‘GIANT TOILET’
Homeless camp on Sonoma County’s administrative complex in California. (Fox News Digital)
Twenty-percent of the people surveyed became unhoused when they got out of an institution, two-thirds reported mental health issues, and 72% had experienced physical violence during their life.
Participants said they were not employed, though nearly half were looking for work.
Homelessness across the U.S. continues to rise, with major cities like Chicago, Miami, Boston and Phoenix all reporting increases in the homeless population.
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During an interview with Fox News Host Sean Hannity last week, California Gov. Gavin Newsom admitted that his efforts to curb the state’s spiraling homeless crisis have not produced any progress.
