Part 7/9:
Some experts believe that the ongoing surge in homelessness is partly driven by a "homeless industrial complex," where organizations and programs rely on continued poverty and displacement to maintain funding and power. Under this model, comprehensive solutions—like increased affordable housing, mental health services, and substance abuse treatment—are underfunded or sidelined.
The Future: Will Restrictions Help?
While the city allocates more than half a million dollars to buy RVs from residents, critics argue this is just a small band-aid on a much larger wound. The fundamental issue remains unaddressed: a lack of affordable, accessible housing and inadequate mental health intervention.