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Homeless in Not Helpless

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Submitted By sjolinrg
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HOMELESS IS NOT HOPELESS

A Study of the Homeless Population of Santa Clarita

BY

RICHARD SJOLIN

EG 371

RESEARCH METHODS

It is unacceptable that in our society we cannot provide basic needs for the homeless community within our population. My study of the homeless population provides information on the demographics of the homeless population, specifically in the Santa Clarita Valley. I wanted to look at this question; if semi-permanent housing services were free, would the population take advantage of those services? As a secondary question, can a homeless person make sufficient income to sustain permanent housing without assistance? Both of these areas are critical to a successful transition back into a productive lifestyle for the homeless family. In the future I would like to survey the guests of the Santa Clarita Emergency Winter Shelter, when it is open. I also believe it would be beneficial to repeat this survey, as conducted, at four different times, during different seasons throughout the year. I think that while the overall results would be similar, we could reach a greater number of the homeless and therefore provide even more powerful support for the needed assistance. In announcing a grant to assist the education needs of homeless children, the William Hart School District stated that in the 2008 – 2009 school year there were over 850 homeless children in grades seven through twelve. (Board, 2009). These children are not all living under a bridge or in a car but may be living with friends or relatives in a communal environment. In article appearing in the LA Times, it stated, “The 2009 census found that more than 48,000 people were homeless on any given night in the county.” In the same article it indicated a rise in homeless families, due to the recession. (Neuman, 2010) Although some question the

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