"We're seeing these tragedies happen because people are living on our streets and not in housing and in safe places," said Crystal Sanchez, founder and president of the Sacramento Homeless Union. It highlights a direct link between homelessness and the increasing number of accidents involving unhoused individuals. The lack of adequate shelter leads vulnerable individuals to unsafe locations, which consequently escalates the risk of fatal incidents. Advocates point out that state policies pushing people out of sight contribute to these preventable tragedies, pushing them into even more dangerous circumstances.
"If they're not on the sidewalks, they're being pushed out into rivers and these secluded areas," Sanchez said. This statement underscores a critical issue in California's homelessness policies—the forced relocation of unhoused individuals to less visible areas. Sanchez argues that this practice compounds the risk of harm during emergencies like floods and fires, indicating that the state's approach to managing homelessness needs significant reevaluation to prioritize human safety and dignity.
According to the 2024 Point-in-Time Count, there are roughly 1,000 homeless people experiencing homelessness in the county, a roughly 26% increase over two years. This stark statistic signals an ongoing crisis exacerbated by economic factors such as the rising cost of living and the waning of pandemic-related relief measures. It's a reflection of systemic issues that push individuals into dire circumstances, necessitating urgent action from policymakers and community leaders.
Earls attributed the increase to the rising cost of living in Yolo and Sacramento counties, as well as the end of eviction moratoriums, rent relief and other emergency benefit services that helped people straddling the poverty line cover expenses during the pandemic. This context is vital to understanding the homelessness crisis in the region, emphasizing that without sustainable housing solutions and continued support, many will inevitably return to the streets.
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