Homeless Persons Need More Than “Pushy Friends”

In his article this morning, LA Times columnist Steve Lopez writes about how he and Brady Westwater (LA Cowboy blogger) helped Ernest Adams, the homeless man who was beaten by a baseball bat last summer.

They compassionately took Adams to get follow-up health care at Rancho Los Amigos Hospital in Downey. They struggled with their dealings with the doctor (who complained that she was accused of “dumping” him back onto Skid Row), the social worker, and a system that is not coordinated.

They are right about the system of care in Los Angeles. It is not working.

It is another argument for the building of more PATH Malls (or “one stop” service centers) for the homeless. Where all the agencies—health care, mental health treatment, substance abuse treatment, employment training, etc.—are housed all under one roof. That way people, like Ernest, can be walked through the services at one location by compassionate case workers or volunteers.

The County of Los Angeles will be proposing these “malls” (or Regional Homeless Centers)—one in each County Supervisorial District—this month.

A database that tracks people who are homeless, as mentioned in the column, is already in the works. Although late—what’s new—the new HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) is mandated by HUD to be operational, if LA wants future HUD funds. The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) is overseeing this project.

People on the streets need more than “pushy” friends. They need “pushy” homeless agencies that work together effectively.