California's Homelessness Crisis: Causes and Solutions Explored in Recent Studies

A new study by the University of California, San Francisco found that California's income inequality and high housing costs left people vulnerable to homelessness, particularly older residents and residents of color. The state is home to 30% of the nation's homeless population and half of the nation's unsheltered population, despite making up only 12% of the U.S. population. The study recommends six key policy changes, including an increase in affordable housing accessible to extremely low-income households and expanded targeted homelessness prevention efforts.