Rates of homelessness are steadily increasing at an alarming rate, and this number will continue to grow. The main reason for this rapid increase is money. This may seem obvious, but the average family puts 30 percent to 50 percent of their income to renting a living space, leaving little money left over for food, clothes, utilities, and other necessities. More than that, many people may only have one working person in a family, and low-income families may take in less than $20,000 a year on minimum wage. This is not nearly enough to support a family.
Moreover, many of these people are plagued with mental disabilities and must cover medical expenses as well as the fees related to supporting oneself. If Clark County had more outreach programs, these people could be helped, and those on the street could be taken to a shelter, or into temporary housing.
To truly combat this issue, Clark County should decrease the cost of low-income housing and create more outreach programs. By enhancing outreach programs more people can pull themselves out of poverty, and making low-income housing more affordable will give more people a chance to help their families and have a solid place to call home.
Haddi Meyer
Vancouver
