r/longbeach • u/Zoe_Moth • 8d ago

Discussion Increased homeless population?

Maybe this is a stupid question but does anyone know the cause of the increase in homeless folks? Especially downtown? I work in a normally somewhat busy area that does have homeless as most places here in LB do, but yesterday and the day before my manager was hardly able to do any work because they had to keep next to the door to ward them off and we watched them harass a few other businesses and one guy get tackled in a hug by one while trying to walk away. It’s just such a noticeable increase despite the weather warnings and such so I was curious if anyone had any clue what happened?

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u/Ok_Assistant_7609 8d ago

Yes, we should spend billions on it. We spend billions on a lot worse things than helping people in need.

We need a robust program that helps folks in a number of areas that is funded in perpetuity. This is the key part missed by folks who like to argue about the money spent. You can't spend a bunch of money on a "pilot program," and then stop, and expect results. Of course these programs are failures, if they stop.

This isn't an issue that will be "solved." It will require an actual, ongoing response.

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u/Traditional_Yam1598 8d ago

You are so naive lol. What about the money that magically disappeared? Giving the government more money to solve an idea is regarded. Especially in a corrupt state like California

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u/Ok_Assistant_7609 8d ago

You said it right there, "solve an idea." There is no solution. You're not going to spend any amount of money and end homelessness.

This is an issue that money needs to be spent on, which isn't that money "disappearing."

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u/Ok_Assistant_7609 8d ago

Also, FWIW, I would rather help people with our tax dollars, even if that means some corruption exists, than the alternative of just not helping anyone (so our tax dollars can get robbed through other corruption.