"Addressing the Homelessness Crisis: Updates and Solutions"
The rise in homelessness in cities like Los Angeles and New York City can be attributed to the decline of affordable housing, with more people falling into homelessness despite efforts to house them. Only 1 in 4 Americans who qualify for federal housing subsidies actually receive them, exacerbating the shortage of affordable housing. High rental costs and the disappearance of affordable rentals have also contributed to the problem. Zoning laws and local opposition make it difficult to build housing for low-income renters, and pandemic aid programs that helped keep people housed are winding down. The lack of affordable housing remains the primary challenge in addressing homelessness.