Why are there so many homeless in Santa Cruz?

Question

A woman just told a group of college students it is because Ronald Reagan closed all of the asylums, giving the patients $5 and sending them all to live on the streets.

I always figured that it was the pot smoking life style that caused people to lose their jobs & become homeless.

Answer 1

We are suffering today for what Reagan started and continued by his Vice-President, Bush Sr... And now with Bush Jr, wherever you turn there's chaos.

As Reagan closed down mental institutions, Bush took away art classes from schools, to name just A Tiny Little Bit of the disasters those three presidents (Reagan-Bush Sr-Bush Jr) have accomplished.

And all, because those three presidents aimed to get rid of the poor class, make slaves out of the middle class supporting this country, and leaving the upper class enjoying the dilemma while cutting their luxury taxes and raising their salary-retirement packages...

Now, one thing you must know:

Reagan closed down the Mental Institutions when he was Governor of California, so it affected California, and California only.

Here's more about it, but pay more attention to the "Congressional Record" by Senator Dianne Feinstein.

But also excerpts from His Own Biography stating Signing as Law the closing down of Mental Facilities:

http://www.trivia-library.com/c/biograph...

And also Many, many others, and among then:

Answer 2

Reagan did not close any asylums.  These are state programs, not Federal.

The warm climate and local programs lead to an increase of homeless.

Answer 3

It's common to mistake the most visible people on the street for the majority of the homeless.  The truth is that the vast majority are children, and right behind them are single mothers.  They don't hang out on the street so it's easy to forget them.  Santa Cruz benefited greatly from the Silicon Valley boom, and suffered greatly from its bust.  Thousands lost their jobs.  Families disintegrated over the strain.  Add to that one of the most expensive housing markets in the country, and many people just couldn't make it anymore.  

And yes, Reagan's decision to dump the mentally ill onto the streets instead of giving them treatment is a factor too.

Answer 4

Because they are encouraged by all the free programs, and pot smoking life style....it is a no drug law enforcement zone...and anything goes....

You cannot blame Regan policies of the 80's for this problem....that was 30 years ago!!!!

I seriously doubt that these people have been homeless for 30 years!!

Santa Cruz has created this problem....and now wants to foist the blame onto someone else.....

Answer 5

I am kind of an internet geek and haven't found anything to support the Reagan theory. People are alleging it was when he was governor of the state not president, of course.

susieQcleaner is correct that most of these homeless are not old to be in asylums 30 years ago.