Homeless Crisis on the West Coast

Guest: Carolyn Pruitt, Spokesperson, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority The number of people without permanent housing increased slightly last year – for the first time since the end of the recession. Now, I say “slightly” for the national number because it was about 1 percent – most of that increased happened along the West Coast. Which means cities like Seattle and Los Angeles have experienced a big surge in homelessness – and particularly among people living on the street, in tents and makeshift shelters. It’s become a crisis in many communities.