Homeless people need more than a house. They need something money can’t buy

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In 2021, the City of Los Angeles announced that it would dedicate over $1 billion to provide much-needed services and resources to its homeless population. L.A. has consistently sought new ways to provide funds to fight what has become one of the city’s most pressing needs.  

This included a quarter-percent sales tax, which generates more than $350 million every year that goes to a variety of initiatives. These include shelter beds, temporary housing services and the creation of affordable, permanent housing. 

Yet despite all these innovative efforts, homelessness continues to rise. In 2018, the number of homeless people living in Los Angeles was 52,765. Last year, in 2023, that number had risen to 75,518.  

MINNEAPOLIS RESIDENTS URGE CITY TO SHUT DOWN NEIGHBORHOOD HOMELESS ENCAMPMENT AFTER EXPLOSION, STABBING

This isn’t something unique to L.A. Cities like Portland, San Francisco and Seattle are all wrestling with reversing this trend.  

Homeless encampments line the streets in Oakland, California on Friday, March 15, 2024. The city remains plagued by homelessness as nearby businesses close their doors due to safety concerns. (DWS for Fox News Digital)

To be sure, this is a monumental challenge. But there is hope.  

There’s hope because a

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