Homelessness

The number of homeless youth, veterans, and Americans have been on the rise in Kern County and the country at an alarming rate over the past four years. In California, The horrors of childhood trauma and poverty, mental illness, and chronic drug abuse surely add to the likelihood that someone lives on the streets.  The primary cause of the crisis is that housing is too scarce and expensive. Homeless youth who have aged out of the Foster Care system accounts for approximately ⅓ of the homeless population. I will work to ensure that affordable housing is made available through the improvements made in communities via President Biden’s Infrastructure plan. Communities of support as well as the building of affordable housing and small homes must work together to provide the homeless with the tools they need to move off the streets and toward independence.  We MUST do better!