Day: January 2, 2025

US Homelessness Up 18%

Our employment is setting records….markets are doing good (for the most part) and all is well with the world.

Not exactly.

There is one sector of this nation that is growing….homelessness.

The US saw an 18.1% increase in homelessness this year, a dramatic rise driven mostly by a lack of affordable housing as well as devastating natural disasters and a surge of migrants in several parts of the country, federal officials said Friday. The Department of Housing and Urban Development said federally required counts taken across the country in January found that more than 770,000 people were counted as homeless. That tally misses some people and does not include those staying with friends or family because they do not have a place of their own, the AP reports.

The increase comes on top of a 12% increase in 2023, which HUD blamed on soaring rents and the end of pandemic assistance. The 2023 increase also was driven by people experiencing homelessness for the first time. The numbers overall represent 23 of every 10,000 people in the nation, with Black people being overrepresented among the homeless population. Adrianne Todman of HUD said in a statement that the focus should remain on “evidence-based efforts to prevent and end homelessness.” Among the most concerning trends was a nearly 40% rise in family homelessness—one of the areas most affected by the arrival of migrants in big cities.

Family homelessness more than doubled in 13 communities impacted by migrants including Denver, Chicago, and New York City, according to HUD, while it rose less than 8% in the remaining 373 communities. Nearly 150,000 children experienced homelessness on a single night in 2024, reflecting a 33% jump from last year. Disasters also played a part in the rise in the count, especially the Maui wildfire, per the AP. Several large cities had success bringing down their homeless numbers. Dallas, which worked to overhaul its homeless system, saw a 16% drop in its numbers between 2022 to 2024. Los Angeles, which increased housing for the homeless, saw a drop of 5% in unsheltered homelessness since 2023.

This is a situation that most Americans choose to ignore or make lame ass excuses for why this problem persists.

This needs attention and jail time for those homeless is not the answer…..only a quick fix to look like someone actually cares.

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

Troubling News For Seniors

It is 2025 and the news coming out is that seniors could be headed for problems with a decade.

Since mid-September, more than 3,600 older adults have shared their life regrets with Business Insider through reader surveys and direct emails. Many spoke about their struggles navigating programs like Social Security, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, and Medicare. This is part of a series on Americans’ retirement regrets.

…

Still, many people are struggling, and the pressures are only likely to grow as the population ages and funding wanes. Some argue that such trends increase the need to preserve or bolster government programs designed to reduce poverty among older adults.

https://www.businessinsider.com/how-social-security-works-medicare-food-stamps-retirement-elder-poverty-2024-12

I am what they call a “baby boomer” and the predictions are not so good for us boomers in the coming years….

As the silver tsunami continues, and more and more workers in the baby boomer generation hit their full retirement age, a larger percentage of the country’s population will be over 65 than ever before. According to a report from the Administration for Community Living, 31.9 million people in the U.S. were 65 and over as of 2022. This not only represented 17.3% of the country’s entire population that year, but the number of Americans that are expected to be 65 and over is anticipated to grow to 22% of the U.S. population by 2040. Another statistic to keep in mind is that the number of older Americans has increased by a whopping 34% since 2012, which far outweighs the 2% population increase for those under 65.

All of this is to say that the country will have more older people living on fixed incomes than it has had in its history. This will not only complicate programs like Social Security, which is already on track to run out of its trust funds beginning in 2033, but also add further pressure on the country’s growing housing crisis. The lack of affordable housing that is already plaguing many Americans is on track to be especially detrimental for the country’s older population. Since most retirees live on fixed income from any combination of 401(k)s, Roth IRAs, Social Security, or other savings, they have less flexibility to handle increasing prices. While this issue is countrywide, there are certain geographic areas that can be even worse.

Read More: https://www.moneydigest.com/1742957/united-states-boomers-wont-be-able-to-afford-to-live-in-10-years/

Life is not easy for our seniors and I do not see much positive situations in the near future.

Sorry to be a Bummer.

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”

New For 2025

Back to work after the holiday…..

There are some new laws that will take effect this year….

Artificial intelligence, abortion, guns, marijuana, minimum wages: Name a hot topic, and chances are good there’s a new law about it taking effect in 2025 in one state or another, the AP reports. Many of the laws launching in January are a result of legislation passed in 2024. Others stem from ballot measures approved by voters. Some face legal challenges. Here’s a look at some of the most notable state laws taking effect:

  • Hollywood stars and AI: California, home to Hollywood and some of the largest tech companies, is seeking to rein in the AI industry and put some parameters around social media stars. New laws seek to prevent the use of digital replicas of actors and performers without permission and allow the estates of dead performers to sue over unauthorized AI use.
  • Child influencers: Also in California, parents who profit from social media posts featuring their children will be required to set aside some earnings for their young influencers. A new law also allows children to sue their parents for failing to do so.
  • Social media limits: New social media restrictions in several states face court challenges. A Florida law bans children under 14 from having social media accounts and requires parental consent for ages 14 and 15, and a new Tennessee law requires parental consent for minors to open accounts. Both are being challenged in court, as are several California measures aimed at combating political deepfakes.
  • School rules on gender: In a first nationally, California will start enforcing a law prohibiting districts from requiring staff to notify parents if their children change their gender identification.
  • Abortion coverage: Delaware will require the state employee health plan and Medicaid plans for lower-income residents to cover abortions with no deductible, copayments, or other cost-sharing requirements.
  • Safer traveling: In Missouri, law enforcement officers have spent the past 16 months issuing warnings to motorists that handheld cellphone use is illegal. Penalties kick in in 2025: a $150 fine for the first violation, progressing to $500 for third and subsequent offenses and up to 15 years imprisonment if a driver using a cellphone causes an injury or death. Montana is now the only state that hasn’t banned texting while driving.

See the complete list, which also includes new laws regarding gun control, medical marijuana, minimum wage, tax breaks, and voting rights, at the AP.

Speaking of AI and the new year….

The Wall Street Journal is out with its annual list of “tech that will change your life” in the new year. A few of the newspaper’s picks for 2025:

  • Artificial intelligence “agents”: The Journal predicts this will be the year we see AI not just creating content, but doing things—think ordering food or other items for you, or booking a trip.
  • AI gadgets: Yes, AI has two different entries on the list. The paper also predicts gadgets from smartphones to speakers will get better with AI integration. This may even be the year Meta brings the world smart glasses.
  • Better weather forecasts: Google’s DeepMind artificial-intelligence lab has come up with a new model, GenCast, that’s much more accurate (and faster to produce) than current forecasts. It will be rolled out to the public in the first few weeks of the new year.
  • Crypto for everybody: It’s been getting increasingly easier to invest in cryptocurrency, and with the incoming administration being particularly crypto-friendly, the Journal predicts that trend will only continue. “Bitcoin in particular is becoming more of a ‘normal’ part of a risk-on portfolio for investor,” says one investment adviser.

There you have it….;2025 is off with a bang….hold onto your butt cheeks it will be a rough if not interesting ride.

I Read, I Write, You Know

“lego ergo scribo”