Homelessness in Metropolitan America: Los Angeles

Date of Award

Spring 2022

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

Department

Historical & Political Studies; College of Arts & Sciences

First Advisor

Dr. Angela Kachuyevski

Second Advisor

Dr. Amy Widestrom

Third Advisor

Honorable Judge Christopher Cerski

Abstract

Homelessness in metropolitan America is on the rise with thousands of people finding themselves homeless. I am examining this phenomenon within a case study of one of America’s most busy cities with one of the highest homeless rates: Los Angeles. I am using the analytic method of pattern matching to define and assert the two main types of policies dominating the debate of reducing homelessness within Los Angeles: the quality of life argument and the public safety argument. I am then comparing those patterns to the municipal code which spells out the laws of the city. I have found that while the law is written to match the public safety pattern it is not reducing homelessness, suggesting that public safety approaches are not an effective policy solution.

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Homelessness in Metropolitan America: Los Angeles

Homelessness in metropolitan America is on the rise with thousands of people finding themselves homeless. I am examining this phenomenon within a case study of one of America’s most busy cities with one of the highest homeless rates: Los Angeles. I am using the analytic method of pattern matching to define and assert the two main types of policies dominating the debate of reducing homelessness within Los Angeles: the quality of life argument and the public safety argument. I am then comparing those patterns to the municipal code which spells out the laws of the city. I have found that while the law is written to match the public safety pattern it is not reducing homelessness, suggesting that public safety approaches are not an effective policy solution.