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.
Recommended Citation
Arcadia University, "Homelessness in Metropolitan America: Los Angeles" (2022). Capstone Showcase. 4.
https://scholarworks.arcadia.edu/showcase/2022/pgl/4
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.