In Los Angeles, California, the number of vehicle residents, or people living in cars, is rapidly increasing, presenting new challenges to the community. 

Homelessness has been a significant world issue, affecting millions of individuals and families across different regions. 

This is particularly a concern in the United States, with the city of Los Angeles standing out with the largest homeless population compared to any other city.

During this past year, LA had a 9% increase in the homeless population- a percentage which is still aggravating.

The main cause of this problem is the rising rent costs led by housing shortages. 

The areas where low-wage workers are employed often have residences with rents that are beyond their affordability, forcing them to seek alternative solutions for shelter. 

Moreover, homeless people have nowhere to go due to reinforcement of the suppression of street homelessness.

Due to limited choices, there are more than four thousand homeless vehicles parked on the streets of Los Angeles. 

In response to this new growing demand, businesses have emerged, offering customers the option to rent salvage cars for their temporary housing. 

The owners of these businesses are called “Van Lords” as they provide recreational vehicles (RVs) with basic necessities, aiming to address the pressing need for shelter. 

Due to the expanding scale of van dwellings, people who live in these vehicles assert that the campers have become their primary shelters and do not consider themselves to be homeless.

This highlights the complex identity that the population has established and underscores the need to solve this problem. 

Despite the resilience of vehicle residents, there are growing complaints about the dangerous traffic situation caused by parked vehicles along busy roads. 

This situation poses significant risks and safety concerns for all road users.

Another major problem is the environmental damage that is caused by vehicle residents; locals are surrounded by waste on the streets.

To add on, these “homes” are not safe for the residents themselves as there have been instances where homeless people have died in fires that started in camper vans. 

As human waste and fires continued to contaminate public areas, the residents of LA grew increasingly frustrated and distressed.

In an effort to tackle the issue, the city has been making attempts to persuade these individuals to leave their vans in exchange for a housing alternative, which has proven to be unsuccessful.

In addition, the local government, nonprofit organizations, and community groups have been collaborating to address this issue through a range of approaches.

However, the scale of this problem requires continued solutions that can effectively tackle homelessness and improve living conditions for those affected. 

Most importantly, homelessness is not just a matter of lacking shelter; it has consequences for the well-being and safety of those experiencing it. 

The lack of stable housing exacerbates health problems and violence among homeless individuals, isolating them and impeding their efforts to reintegrate into society.

Creating an inclusive society for all residents necessitates an approach that combines affordable housing initiatives, supportive services, mental health support, and job opportunities.

Given the complexity of this issue, it is necessary for communities and governments to find sustainable solutions that limit the ongoing challenges and break the cycle of homelessness. 

Kate Kim
Grade 9 
Gyeonggi Suwon International School