Homeless in Santa Clarita

There are many homeless people in Santa Clarita.  Many are women that are trying to escape an abusive relationship.  The cost of living in Santa Clarita is not condusive to a single mom on a limited income.  Many of these women have to move into run down hotels just to stay of the street.  They aren’t prostitutes or drug addicts, just women that have come across some difficult times.

In the past I have read articles in the Signal regarding Santa Clarita residents not wanting homeless shelters in the city.  I remember the Signal did a poll on their website asking where the homeless shelter should be located.  Majority vote went to Stevenson Ranch.    Somehow I don’t think that would go over too well.

Seriously though, do most residents really think about this issue?  Do they just go day to day living the life of luxury without thinking twice about the needy families in our community?  I’m not proud to admit it, but I do.  I guess I just don’t think of it because I don’t see it.  I mean there aren’t bums walking the streets of Valencia.  Well, actually I’ve seen two.  A woman at Granery Square and a man at the Exxon gas station on San Fernando Rd.  It’s not like in the San Fernando Valley where you see bums all the time so you know there’s a homeless issue.  Maybe that’s why it isn’t on our minds as an issue of great importance.

The other issue is that when we do acknowledge that it is an issue that needs to be taken care of…where do you put a shelter?  People don’t want shelters in their neighborhoods.  I mean let’s face it, that’s why alot of people live in Santa Clarita.  It is snooty to say, but most don’t want to associate with rif raf.  We want other people to deal with it.

A controversial subject that belongs on a more political blog than this.  I just wanted to mention it to perhaps get someone thinking they might want to help.

If you feel like you would like to do something to help the homeless in your community, you can check out the Santa Clarita Shelter website.  There is an ongoing need for volunteers and you can sign up through their site.