美国居民 埃里克·邓纳姆：如果我领不到食品券，我就没饭吃，真的。我每个月除了必要开支外只剩下24美元，就这么多了。其他钱都用来养育孩子和付房 租了。 责编：李磊、王瑞景 美国居民 桑德拉·古兹曼：这不是什么特别的要求，也不是什么奢侈的东西。这只是一些基本的需求，只是给我的孩子们一口吃的。 0:00 美国食品券项目覆盖美国约4200万人，约占全美总人口八分之一，其中大多数人的收入低于美国贫困线。食品券项目因政府停摆而停止后，美国许多依靠食 品券度日的民众的生活变得难以为继。 美国居民 玛丽·威洛比：我们需要食品券，我们需要社会保障，我们需要医疗保险，我们需要我们应得的一切。但情况在恶化，如果你们把这些福利都砍 掉，现在只会引发一场大战，因为人们会开始抢劫。 美国居民 卡罗琳·盖伊：为什么要拿走我们应得的东西。我们世代努力工作，付出的已经足够多。我们不应该为别人的错误买单，这是不对的。 ...

Core Insights - California, despite being the wealthiest state in the U.S. with a nominal GDP of $4.1 trillion, has the highest number of homeless individuals in the country, accounting for approximately 25% of the national total [1][2] - Skid Row in Los Angeles is the most densely populated homeless community in the U.S., with around 5,000 homeless individuals living there, over 50% of whom sleep on the streets [2][3] - The U.S. prioritizes individual freedom over equality, leading to a reluctance to impose strict regulations on the homeless population, which complicates efforts to manage the situation [6][7] Government Policies and Welfare - California's "Housing First" policy aims to provide housing for the homeless before addressing broader community issues, but this approach has proven costly and inefficient [7] - Local governments play a crucial role in welfare distribution, with California spending over $5 billion annually on homeless assistance, yet policies often contradict each other, leading to limited effectiveness [8][9] - Homeless individuals in Los Angeles can receive various forms of assistance, including cash aid, food assistance, medical care, and housing subsidies, with monthly cash aid ranging from $500 to $1,500 depending on circumstances [9][10][11][12] Causes of Homelessness - The primary reasons for homelessness in the U.S. include economic bankruptcy, substance abuse, and mental health issues, with many individuals lacking savings and relying on credit [14][15] - The high cost of living in cities like Los Angeles, where rent can exceed $1,500, often leads individuals to prefer living on the streets and relying on government assistance rather than maintaining a stable residence [14] - Substance abuse is prevalent, with millions of Americans struggling with alcohol and drug addiction, contributing to the cycle of homelessness [15][16]