Homelessness is primarily caused by unaffordable housing, not addiction or mental illness, and is exacerbated by a lack of safety nets and the collapse of low-cost rentals.
The Vanguard covers housing because it is the root of many of the community’s biggest challenges, such as education, equity, public health, economic inclusion, aging in place, sustainability, transportation, and criminal justice.
The closure of the Daytime Respite Center in Davis has highlighted the need for a more comprehensive approach to addressing homelessness, including permanent housing, mental health and addiction treatment, and senior-specific support.