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Published -
- December 2, 2019
- 8:03 pm
Simon meets with Amy, one of the tens of thousands of homeless people living in L.A. Unlike others, Amy has chosen a particularly precarious place to settle: inside a train bridge.
Simon Reeve continues his journey through the Americas. In this second leg, Simon is in the United States travelling down the Rocky Mountains from Montana to Colorado. In the wide-open prairies of Montana, the cowboy way of life is under threat from a long-term decline in the rural economy, but Simon meets a former Silicon Valley executive who has envisaged a new future for the land. The hugely ambitious American Prairie Reserve is attempting to turn three million acres of former ranches, farms and public lands into a protected habitat for America’s wildlife, reintroducing iconic species long extinct, including the North American bison. It is a move being welcomed by native American groups still living under the shadow of historical injustice.
What support systems are available to help homeless individuals in Los Angeles, and how effective are they?
In the sprawling city of Los Angeles, thousands of people are forced to call the streets their home. Many of them sleep on sidewalks, under bridges, and in parks, struggling to survive each day. But for a small group of homeless individuals, a bridge in downtown L.A. has become their sanctuary and shelter.
In the BBC documentary series, “The Americas with Simon Reeve,” viewers are taken on a journey to explore the harsh realities faced by the homeless in one of the wealthiest cities in the world. The episode “Homeless in L.A.” sheds light on the lives of people who have fallen through the cracks of society and are struggling to get by.
The documentary introduces us to people like Moses, who has been living under the bridge for over a decade. He built a makeshift home there using tarps, cardboard, and scraps of wood, and has managed to survive the brutal L.A. weather and the dangers of living on the streets. Moses shares his daily struggles and the bond he has formed with the other homeless individuals who also call the bridge their home.
The documentary also shows how some people, like the city’s sanitation department workers, view the homeless as a nuisance and a problem to be cleared away. The lack of affordable housing and the inadequate support from the city leaves many with no other option but to make the streets their home.
The documentary highlights the resilience and resourcefulness of the homeless community, who have created their own support systems to survive. They share food, blankets, and other resources, and offer each other emotional support and companionship.
However, life on the streets is far from safe. The documentary shows the danger and violence that homeless people, especially women, face every day. The lack of sanitation and medical care also puts their health at risk, leaving many with serious illnesses and infections.
“Homeless in L.A.” offers a sobering look at the harsh realities faced by those who have fallen through the cracks of society. It highlights the urgent need for affordable housing, comprehensive healthcare, and other support systems to help people get back on their feet.
This documentary serves as a reminder that we all have a role to play in addressing homelessness and supporting vulnerable communities. It is time for us to take action and work towards creating a more just and equitable society, where everyone has a safe and secure home.
