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Last week I was visiting Seattle, and of course homelessness popped up--from being confronted with it head on, to having conversations about it with a date, or calling my brother in Singapore and hearing how his daughter doesn't like LA, SF, or Seattle because of the issue :/ 🧵 1/15

So I decided to look at some stats and graphs because that's just who I am. Here's what I've learned. 🧵 2/15

Homelessness basically boils down to housing availability/affordability issues and problems accessing proper/pertinent medical care and social services. 🧵 3/15

However, it does not affect people or places equally. For example, New York is highest in the US in terms of gross and per capita rates. But, most people, especially in winter, are temporarily housed or sheltered. For NYC, it's basically 95%. For LA, that is significantly lower at 35%. 🧵 4/15

So that's geography. But what about demography? Sadly, and unsurprisingly, minority and marginalized populations have a tougher time. In particular, Pacific Islanders, LGBTIQ+, and those with disabilities face disproportionate hardships. 🧵 6/15

Homelessness dramatically lowers life expectancy, too. It basically lops off 25 years. For perspective, that was the life expectancy around 1900. 🧵 7/15

Seattle's mayoral race last year prominently featured homelessness and sweeps as a policy measure. Incumbent Bruce Harrell ultimately lost out. 🧵 8/15