Stormy Weather Means Stormy Living On The Streets

The LA Downtown News is correct to report on how the latest Southern California storms have affected those living on our streets.

It’s not surprising that the downtown missions are overwhelmed with people looking for a dry bed. As I told the reporter when he talked with me, however, it’s not just raining in downtown Los Angeles. Shelters throughout the county are inundated with people looking to get away from the storm.

Stormy weather helps those of us who are housed realize the sad effects of those living on the streets. Usually when it’s sunny and warm outside, you don’t think it’s that bad to live on L.A.’s streets. But during this winter it’s been not only bad, but actually dangerous.

So my quote in this article was geared toward the fact that homelessness in L.A. cannot be solved with more shelter beds. These are just band aids. What we really need are more affordable housing linked to special services that keep people in their housing.

Until that happens, every Southern California storm will continue to remind us that we have not done enough to resolve homelessness in LA.

(Pic from http://espanol.wunderground.com/)