By Hyoungjae Kim & Hoonsik Woo | The Korea Daily
Despite the growing number of homeless Korean Americans, some of whom have even died recently, it has been found that there is a lack of organizations and facilities available to protect them. Especially, existing organizations are struggling to operate because the government does not authorize them, and do not receive assistance.
In the past month, the Korea Daily has counted at least 55 Korean homeless people, including about 15 in two homeless encampments in Los Angeles Koreatown, 20 at Father Yohan Kim’s homeless shelter, and about 20 at Pastor Moody Ko’s Father’s Table Mission shelter and Victorville center.
This is a phenomenon that was unforeseen eight years ago when the emergence of homeless camps in Koreatown was first reported. Thirty-three homeless tents or tarps were counted in the neighborhood, but no Korean American homeless people were found at that time.
But as of May 2024, the situation has changed. Homeless Korean Americans have established themselves in at least two homeless encampments in Los Angeles Koreatown. Some of them without tents live with blankets or luggage in front of Korean markets, churches, and other businesses. Since the pandemic, Korean Americans whose economic and social foundations have collapsed are being pushed to the streets.
The majority of the Korean-American homeless individuals interviewed by the Korea Daily were not aware of the city’s homeless policy (Inside Safe LA), which provides temporary housing in motels and hotels. Many of them are either undocumented or do not speak English. Although the city of Los Angeles allocated $1.3 billion, or 10 percent of its total budget last year to address homelessness, these Korean-American individuals have not received any assistance, remaining in a “blind spot.”
Read the full story at The Korea Daily
