This week was very interesting because we not only looked at the issues of homelessness, but also potential solutions. On Thursday, we watched a film on the Motel Kids of Orange County and it helped shed light on how big of an issue homelessness is in more affluent areas. When a certain area (such as Orange County) grows larger and the cost of living goes up, what happens to the people who “fall through the cracks”? The people who have always been in that area, but recently couldn’t afford it anymore. Working a job at minimum wage no longer provides an individual with enough money to live, especially in areas with higher costs of living. Even in Redlands, the cost of living has continued to increase, making market rent prices comparable to cities in Orange County. The video made me really sad, not only because it helps illustrate the struggles these children and families have to go through, but also how quickly these children are forced to grow up. The language the young children used in the film really struck me because they spoke about things that I never even had to think about when I was their age. Also, the film helped show how children who grow up in low income areas and are surrounded by gangs, violence and crime often “adopt” these habits or get involved. It helps illustrate how many social issues are products of other social issues and how it is an endless cycle that is difficult to escape.

Tuesday’s class was a little less depressing because we spoke about “solutions” to homelessness such as tent cities. My group presented about how tent cities often provide homeless individuals with more of a close-knit family than living on the street or in a shelter. In many ways, tent cities help homeless individuals reestablish social ties, accountability, and autonomy. I hope that in the next few weeks of class, we continue to talk about potential solutions to homelessness.