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Ashlyn Leath
1 Grand Ave.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407

February 29, 2024

Isabell Garcia
1 Grand Ave.
San Luis Obispo, CA 93407

Dear Miss Isabell Garcia,

I hope that you are doing well. My name is Ashlyn Leath, and I am a first-year communications
student at Cal Poly. I am writing to you regarding the homeless population here in San Luis
Obispo, an overlooked issue that I believe needs all of our help to fix/find a solution to.

To incorporate ethos, I used credible sources, evidence-based information, and statistics. For
example, SLO ranking third among communities of its size nationwide in proportion of homeless
individuals. My use of reputable sources is key to proving the credibility of my stance and this
writing.

I incorporated pathos through painting vivid pictures of the experiences of homeless individuals
in San Luis Obispo, describing their struggles with finding shelter, accessing services, and
maintaining dignity. By humanizing the issue and highlighting the suffering and challenges faced
by homeless individuals, I hope to evoke empathy and compassion from you, ultimately hoping
that you and all of SLO county will stand together to fix this issue.

To incorporate logos, I provided logical reasoning and evidence to support my claim about the
root causes of homelessness, including the lack of affordable housing, systemic issues like
income inequality and inadequate mental health services, and the economic implications of
homelessness. My argument is very logically structured, with clear connections between causes,
effects, and proposed solutions, making it persuasive and compelling.

To incorporate kairos, I spoke on homelessness, a timely and relevant topic. I provided recent
statistics, referenced recent initiatives, and hope to cause you to recognize the urgency of this
situation. I hope that I emphasized the importance of addressing homelessness and beginning
change as much I believe it needs to happen. I am hoping to inspire action and advocacy on
behalf of the homeless individuals in SLO and believe you van be the beginning of this change.

Sincerely,

Ashlyn Leath
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Ashlyn Leath

Professor Isabell Garcia

English 134

27 February 2024

Homeless and Hopeless

Homelessness: a multifaceted societal issue, extends far beyond mere statistics,

embodying a profound humanitarian challenge that affects communities worldwide. It is

characterized by the absence of stable, safe, and adequate housing. Yet, beyond the tangible

deprivation of shelter, homelessness is often intricately intertwined with complex issues such as

poverty, mental illness, substance abuse, and systemic inequality, making it a symptom of

broader societal “failures”. Delving even deeper, “It involves deprivation across a number of

different dimensions – physiological (lack of bodily comfort or warmth), emotional (lack of love

or joy), territorial (lack of privacy), ontological (lack of rootedness in the world, anomie) and

spiritual (lack of hope, lack of purpose)” (Somerville). Homelessness in San Luis Obispo is a

clear issue, as it is in many cities across the United States. San Luis Obispo County has struggled

with addressing homelessness due to various factors, including high housing costs, limited

housing options, and challenges in accessing mental health and substance abuse services. The

city and county have implemented several initiatives to address homelessness, including

providing shelter and services, supporting affordable housing developments, and collaborating

with nonprofits and community organizations. However, homelessness remains a complex issue

that requires ongoing efforts and collaboration from multiple stakeholders to address effectively.

A brief trip to downtown San Luis Obispo will make this issue clear to you. With each

trip you return, you'll notice a recurring sight: the presence of homeless individuals. They tend to
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congregate in the same area, often accompanied by a cat or dog. During farmers market they

often sell trinkets they have made or preform (from playing guitar to magic tricks) to make some

money. There seems to be something different about the homeless population here, they aren’t

begging for money, they don’t seem to be seeking a job, but they also don’t seem like they are

constantly doing drugs (like some cities). It is almost as if they are comfortable living the way

they are.

San Luis Obispo County ranks third among communities of its size nationwide in terms

of the proportion of homeless individuals without shelter. This statistic sheds light on the

obvious disparities within the region, highlighting the pressing need for comprehensive solutions

to address homelessness and provide support to those in need. Efforts to tackle this issue must

prioritize collaboration between government agencies, non-profit organizations, and the

community to create sustainable pathways towards housing security and dignity for all residents.

San Luis Obispo County is responding, hiring its first homelessness response manager in 2021,

but these efforts must continue (“San Luis Obispo's homelessness response changes lives for the

better”).

When examining the root causes of homelessness in California, specifically San Luis

Obispo, it all boils down to one thing, lack of affordable housing. California stands out as the

second most expensive states for housing, only below Hawaii. “Single-family home prices and

apartment rents in less costly areas of the state, such as Fresno and Bakersfield, though

considered inexpensive by California standards, are about average compared with the rest of the

country” (Taylor). The lack of affordable housing in California is a complex issue with far-

reaching implications. Rapid population growth, limited housing development, stringent zoning

regulations, and soaring construction costs have all contributed to the affordability crisis.
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Additionally, the disparity between wage growth and housing prices further compounds the

problem, leaving many individuals and families struggling to keep a roof over their heads.

Moreover, the homelessness crisis is exacerbated by systemic issues such as income

inequality, insufficient mental health services, and inadequate social safety nets. Many

individuals experiencing homelessness face barriers to accessing stable housing due to past

trauma, untreated mental illness, or substance abuse disorders. Peter Somerville discusses these

ideas explaining that in order to tackle California's homelessness crisis effectively, we need a

multifaceted approach that deals with immediate housing needs while also addressing the deeper

systemic issues that keep people homeless. This means increasing investment in affordable

housing, reforming zoning laws to encourage denser development, improving access to mental

health and addiction treatment, and implementing supportive housing programs that provide

comprehensive services to homeless individuals. By targeting these root causes and investing in

sustainable solutions, we can make meaningful progress in alleviating homelessness and building

a more equitable society for everyone in California. Without adequate support systems in place,

breaking the cycle of homelessness becomes increasingly challenging.

Some may argue that homelessness is a choice, and that we shouldn’t help them. Truth is

even some homeless people agree with this. “Deputies work with code enforcement, with Family

Assistance Ministries, with the countywide 211 telephone resource center and with other

agencies to try to get help for homeless people, but many of them don't want help -- just want to

be left alone” (Swegles). It is also argued that aiding the homeless can foster dependency on

social services, discouraging individuals from seeking employment or pursuing self-sufficiency.

Concerns about the impact of homelessness on public safety and property values are often raised.

Critics argue that homeless encampments can contribute to crime and disorder, and their
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presence may diminish the appeal and value of surrounding areas. Some argue that traditional aid

programs aimed at helping the homeless are ineffective or inefficient. They may point to

instances of fraud, mismanagement, or lack of accountability within these programs as reasons to

reconsider their support. While these arguments present valid concerns, it's essential to recognize

that they often oversimplify complex issues surrounding homelessness. Effective solutions

require a balanced approach that addresses both immediate needs and underlying causes, while

also considering the broader social and economic implications. It becomes evident that helping

the homeless not only aligns with our ethical principles, but also serves the broader interests of

society.

As members of a society, we have a moral obligation to care for those who are less

fortunate. Basic human dignity dictates that everyone deserves access to shelter, food, and

support. addressing homelessness can save money in the long run. Homeless individuals

frequently end up in costly emergency services such as hospitals, shelters, and the criminal

justice system. Providing stable housing and support services can reduce these expenses.

Homelessness can destabilize communities, leading to increased crime rates, public health

concerns, and a decline in property values. By addressing homelessness, we contribute to the

overall stability and well-being of society. Many homeless individuals are victims of

circumstances beyond their control, such as job loss, mental illness, or domestic abuse. Providing

support and resources can help them overcome these challenges and regain stability.
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As seen to the right, this is an example of an

organization helping provide a resource, a

clean shower, to the homeless people here in

San Luis Obispo. Addressing homelessness

involves more than just providing temporary

shelter or handouts. Effective interventions

focus on providing access mental health

services, job training, and other resources to

Image of “shower the people” trailer, a trailer of
showers that homeless individuals can use.
help individuals break the cycle of homelessness.

Addressing the homelessness crisis in California requires a comprehensive approach that

tackles both the immediate need for affordable housing and the underlying systemic issues that

perpetuate homelessness. This includes increasing investment in affordable housing initiatives,

reforming zoning policies to encourage denser development, expanding access to mental health

and addiction treatment services, and implementing supportive housing programs that provide

wraparound services to individuals experiencing homelessness. By addressing these root causes

and investing in sustainable solutions, we can work towards alleviating the homelessness crisis

and creating a more equitable and inclusive society for all Californians.
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Works Cited

Buhayar, Noah, and Christopher Cannon. “California's Affordable Housing Crisis: Why Prices Are So

High and How to Solve It.” Bloomberg.com, 6 November 2019,

https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2019-california-housing-crisis/. Accessed 26 February

2024.

“San Luis Obispo's homelessness response changes lives for the better.” Cal Cities, 13 September 2023,

https://www.calcities.org/news/post/2023/09/13/san-luis-obispo-s-homelessness-response-

changes-lives-for-the-better. Accessed 26 February 2024.

Somerville, Peter. “Housing, Theory and Society.” Understanding Homelessness, vol. 30, no. 4, 2013,

pp. 384-415. Understanding Homelessness,

https://web.p.ebscohost.com/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=0&sid=8b6bf8b2-071a-4604-a3a1-

c731ff8ddc6a%40redis. Accessed 26 February 2024.

Swegles, Fred. San Clemente report finds many homeless don't want help, ProQuest, 22 Feb 2017,

https://www.proquest.com/docview/1870701688?pq-

origsite=primo&parentSessionId=B%2BYmwVL3PKI4VUIMhKl%2BRA7YsRzU7sIn3CMBpb

ctEek%3D&sourcetype=Wire%20Feeds. Accessed 26 February 2024.

Taylor, Mac. “California's High Housing Costs - Causes and Consequences.” Legislative Analyst's

Office, 17 March 2015, https://www.lao.ca.gov/reports/2015/finance/housing-costs/housing-

costs.pdf. Accessed 26 February 2024.

Shower the People Trailer Wrap, July 18, 2019, https://showerthepeopleslo.org

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Reflection

In the writing process of this essay, EO3 specifically comes to my mind. We were asked

to come up with an issue, choosing homelessness as my topic I did not know too much of the

reasoning behind it or really anything at all. My research portion of the writing process was key

to forming a successful essay with sound reasoning. A challenge that I found was finding

evidence specifically speaking of the San Luis Obispo area, but to me discussing all of California

was not what I wanted to write about because the homeless individuals in SLO are different than

those in my hometown, Fresno, and I wanted to focus on this difference. Broadening my search

for evidence beyond the Cal Poly OneSearch was helpful, but still finding reliable sources

through Google was much more challenging. The rhetorical strategy in my essay in which I

focused mainly on was logos, using straight forward and logical reasoning to get my point across

without question. The topic of homelessness is very clearly important to me and the community

here in SLO, and it was my goal to persuade the reader how and what we can do/must do to help

with this issue. My strongest part of my final draft is my introduction I feel as though I did a

good job explaining to the reader that homelessness is much deeper than not having shelter. If I

were to revise this again, I think I would try to make it less repetitive. I also would have loved to

interview people who work with the homeless here myself to get more first-hand experience,

reasoning, and evidence. Ideally this would have brought my writing to life, bringing in much

more ethos in credibility but mainly pathos, evoking raw and genuine emotion from the reader by

including someone who genuinely knows and cares about this topic.