Last week, one of our exercises for class was to complete an overview of a homeless count and what system was used to complete the homeless count. As a class, most of us chose different cities and areas to look up, many students chose the areas in which they are from. This past summer, I lived in Pasadena, CA and worked in Glendale, CA. In a park near my apartment, I saw many homeless people on an almost daily basis.

When I completed the homeless count exercise, I chose to look up Los Angeles count. In the Los Angeles report, it is noted the Pasadena reports its numbers separately from the rest of Los Angeles county. I decided to investigate further and see what that was about. According to a report in the San Gabriel Tribune, Pasadena homelessness has decreased from 1,216 in 2011 to 632 in 2015. While these numbers have noticeably decreased, the pervasiveness and complaints of homeless in Pasadena has increased. According to those quoted in the article, there is an issue of lack of availability of affordable housing in the area. The article states that if affordable housing can’t be found in Pasadena, those in need will be moved to areas that do have housing.

Based on what we’ve learned in class, and the idea that poor and homeless often get pushed to other areas, I find it interesting that Pasadena isn’t doing more to find a permanent and local solution to the homeless and housing issue.

If you’d like to read more, here is the link about homelessness in Pasadena.

http://www.sgvtribune.com/social-affairs/20151025/complaints-about-homeless-behavior-on-the-rise-in-pasadena