California nightmare: How high taxes, rampant crime, streets of homeless addicts

True, there has been little political will in the US to deal with the homeless for many years. Fair weather states are taking the hit simply because it's easier to live outside when you don't have to deal with the extreme weather on a regular basis. I remember reading about a 3+ years homeless couple that moved from Alaska to California and had had a child while living on the streets. The kid had never lived in a house since they had him while they were homeless. It's easy to blame California's politics but it's a problem all over the US.

Also, there needs to be a way for people to make a living wage that lets a family afford a place to live in. There will always be a need for low skill jobs, for workers and employers, so society needs to make sure they pay a living wage. Working and not being able to afford a place to live is a large disincentive to work and get a home. It's easier to just live where you can pitch a tent.

The state is beginning to spend billions to get a handle on the situation but it's a hard problem since in many cases the root problem is deeper than not having a home, drugs and mental illness are a big root problem. Also, the financial problems due to COVID will make the problem worse.

Homelessness is a problem that needs to be dealt with at the national level. The idea that you can scape it by moving only delays the solution.