Amid end to COVID help, homelessness surging in many cities
Homelessness is expected to be up when the federal government releases results from an annual count in coming months, the first full tally since the coronavirus pandemic began
By KATHLEEN RONAYNE, MICHAEL CASEY and GEOFF MULVIHILL
Published - Oct 06, 2022, 10:15 AM ET
Last Updated - Jun 24, 2023, 03:42 AM EDT
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — In California’s capital, massive tent encampments have risen along the American River and highway overpasses have become havens for homeless people, whose numbers have jumped a staggering nearly 70% over two years.
Among the 9,300 without a home is Eric Santos, who lost his job at a brewery and was evicted from his apartment in July. Now he carries a list of places where free meals are available and a bucket to mix soap and water to wash his hands, and to sit on.
“The bucket is part of my life now,” the 42-year-old said, calling it his version of Wilson, the volleyball that becomes Tom Hanks’ companion in the film “Castaway.”
Cities big and small around the country are facing a similar experience to Sacramento.
