Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Top Stories

California Needs More Homeless Shelters, Especially in the Face of Climate-Driven Disasters

California Needs More Homeless Shelters, Especially in the Face of Climate-Driven Disasters

Firefighters hosing down a structure during a local wildfire in Southern California.

Getty Images//Studio One-One

As a native Californian and a passionate homeless advocate, my heart shattered when I witnessed the devasting wildfires that ravaged the state I call home. For those already vulnerable, facing homelessness or housing insecurity, the wildfires are a cruel reminder of how fragile stability can be. The Los Angeles fires have forced evacuations of more than 200,000 people, displacing families and individuals from the only place they consider home. Shelters quickly filled to capacity, and resources that were already strained became nearly nonexistent. The lack of a solid foundation can turn a natural disaster into an inescapable cycle of hardship and despair.

California's homelessness crisis is multifaceted and severely impacts individuals and families across the state. With 181,399 unhoused individuals, of whom 68% are unsheltered, it is clear that the current resources available are grossly inadequate. This situation not only showcases a systemic failure to provide necessary support but also amplifies the vulnerability of these individuals, especially in the face of natural disasters such as the wildfires.


The nearly 71,131 emergency and transitional beds fall significantly short of meeting the needs of those experiencing homelessness. These facilities are often overwhelmed, lacking the capacity to accommodate the surge of individuals who may seek refuge during emergencies. Additionally, many of these shelters may not be equipped with the resources, infrastructure, or care needed for individuals with unique requirements, such as those dealing with mental health issues, substance use disorders, or families with children. This shortfall can lead to dire outcomes for those affected, as they have nowhere safe to go during times of crisis.

Moreover, the availability of beds in jails— 83,000 across 125 facilities —further emphasizes a troubling trend in California's approach to homelessness. Instead of providing supportive housing and resources that could help stabilize individuals, the state often resorts to criminalizing those in vulnerable situations. This approach not only fails to address the root causes of homelessness but also exacerbates the problem, pushing individuals deeper into a cycle of poverty, trauma, and incarceration.

The focus on punitive measures instead of preventive solutions not only strains the judicial system but also neglects the comprehensive care that the unhoused need. Investing in mental health services, addiction recovery programs, job training, and accessible housing solutions is imperative for reversing these harmful trends.

Furthermore, the interplay between homelessness and natural disasters cannot be overlooked. As climate change continues contributing to increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires, floods, and other disasters, the unhoused population is disproportionately affected. Many do not have access to transportation and may be unable to evacuate in a timely manner, putting their lives at greater risk.

In a state as affluent and innovative as California, it is unacceptable that so many of our residents live without a secure roof over their heads, especially during times of crisis. We owe it to ourselves and each other to foster resilience not just in our communities but within the very systems that must protect the most vulnerable among us. One where safety, stability, and dignity are not privileges, but rights for every individual, regardless of their circumstances.

During the worst of the fires, the sight of crows flying to safety served as a poignant metaphor, highlighting a community yearning for a way out. While political rivalry creates inaction, the outpouring of support and compassion from neighbors demonstrates an unwavering resolve to reclaim their streets from despair. Community groups, volunteers, and local organizations are stepping in where the city falls short, providing food, shelter, and a listening ear to those in need.

In this moment of crisis, the people of California are becoming the forerunners of change by putting community first. As crows take flight to escape danger, so too do community members rise to the challenge, pushing for solutions that foster dignity and hope. The way Californians put each other first was a breathtaking scene and a beautiful reminder that when government fails to protect its most vulnerable, it is the love for our community that can pave the way toward lasting change.

Asha Wasuge is a fierce professional advocate for the unhoused population and a Public Voices Fellow in Domestic Violence and Economic Security with the OpEd Project.

Read More

From Vision to Action: Remaking the World Through Social Entrepreneurship
assorted notepads

From Vision to Action: Remaking the World Through Social Entrepreneurship

Social entrepreneur John Marks developed a set of eleven working principles that have become his modus operandi and provide the basic framework for his new book, “From Vision to Action: Remaking the World Through Social Entrepreneurship," from which a series of three articles is adapted. While Marks applied these principles in nonprofit work, he says they are also applicable to social enterprisesand to life, in general.

PART TWO

PRINCIPLE #4: KEEP SHOWING UP. It has been said that 80 percent of success in life is showing up. For social entrepreneurs, this means continuing to stay engaged without dabbling or parachuting. Like a child’s toy windup truck that moves forward until it hits an obstacle and then backs off and finds another way forward, social entrepreneurs should be persistent—and adept at finding work-arounds. They must be willing to commit for the long term. I found that this was particularly important when working with Iranians, who tend to view the world in terms of centuries and millennia.

Keep ReadingShow less
Similarity Hub Shows >700 Instances of Cross-Partisan Common Ground

Two coloured pencils one red and one blue drawing a reef knot on a white paper background.

Getty Images, David Malan

Similarity Hub Shows >700 Instances of Cross-Partisan Common Ground

It is a common refrain to say that Americans need to find common ground across the political spectrum.

Over the past year, AllSides and More Like US found >700 instances of common ground on political topics, revealed in Similarity Hub. It highlights public opinion data from Gallup, Pew Research, YouGov, and many other reputable polling firms.

Keep ReadingShow less
The Responsibility of the First Vote

Primary voting, Michigan

Elaine Cromie/Getty Images

The Responsibility of the First Vote

The Fulcrum is committed to nurturing the next generation of journalists. To learn about the many NextGen initiatives we are leading, click HERE.

We asked Nathaly Suquinagua, a bilingual multimedia journalist with a B.A. in Journalism and a minor in Dance from Temple University, and a cohort member with the Fulcrum Fellowship, to share her thoughts on what democracy means to her and her perspective on its current health.

Keep ReadingShow less
Faith, Democracy, and the Catholic Duty To Stay Involved

Christian cross necklace on American flag.

Getty Images/Stock Photo

Faith, Democracy, and the Catholic Duty To Stay Involved

The Fulcrum is committed to nurturing the next generation of journalists. To learn about the many NextGen initiatives we are leading, click HERE.

We asked Angeles Ponpa, a graduate student at Northwestern Medill in the Politics, Policy, and Foreign Affairs specialization, and a Fulcrum summer intern, to share her thoughts on what democracy means to her and her perspective on its current health.

Keep ReadingShow less