A report from March 2026 states that the number of homeless deaths in LA County has decreased for the first time in a decade.

At first glance, it seems like things are finally heading in the right direction.

However, the next sentence reveals that more than 6 homeless people die on the streets in LA County each day.

That's 6 people a day.

Honestly, I'm a bit confused about whether this can really be called a decrease.

It's true that things are less bad, but that doesn't mean the situation has improved.

The state of homelessness itself is a structure that drives people to the brink.

Hygiene is nearly at its worst, and even washing is not easy.

Mental health issues often come as a basic option, and many also struggle with substance abuse.

Getting proper nutrition is difficult, leading to a continuous decline in health.

This is not just one problem; multiple issues are occurring simultaneously.

Ultimately, it's only a matter of time before the body can no longer hold up.

Imagine an ordinary person like us living on the street with a clear mind.

In summer, the asphalt heats up, and in winter, the cold from the ground rises.

Rain must be endured, and the ground is either muddy or damp.

Even at night, it's not quiet. The sounds of cars, people, and sirens are constant. It's hard to get proper sleep, and the body remains in a state of tension.

The ground is hard, damaging the back and spine. This is not just for a day or two; it repeats continuously.

In such conditions, it's difficult to relieve oneself properly, and eating is a challenge.

Even drinking clean water is not something one can do freely.

This is a situation where even a normal person would start to break down in a month.

Yet, there are people who endure this for months or even years. The outcome of that is something that doesn't need lengthy explanation.

In this environment, the statement that "the number of deaths has decreased" is not really comforting.

Because the structure itself remains unchanged. Shelters are still lacking, and even when available, accessibility is poor.

Mental health treatment and rehabilitation programs have long waiting lists. Even when seeking help, the system is not immediately responsive.

As a result, many people continue to endure on the streets.

The term "endure" is somewhat ambiguous. It's closer to being abandoned.

LA appears to be a glamorous city on the surface. The weather is nice, the economy is large, and it's a famous city overflowing with wealthy people.

But in its shadows, people are quietly disappearing every day. This gap is the biggest problem.

The system seems to be functioning, but in reality, it continues to overlook the most vulnerable individuals.

It's hard to say that this structure has changed just because one number has decreased.

In the end, it's not that things have improved; they have just become less bad. With 6 people dying each day, we haven't even crossed the starting line yet.

In this state, saying that "things are getting better" is a bit premature.

What is needed is not to feel reassured by one number, but to continuously examine why such an environment still exists.

Only then can we reach a point where we can truly speak of change. Right now, it doesn't seem like we are there yet.