LA’s Homelessness: It Is An Uphill Battle

The struggle to end homelessness is going to be tough. Why? Because it is not as “simple” as building enough affordable housing for the homeless. That, alone, would cost billions and billions of dollars.

There are so many other issues going on. Like lack of employment, and the overwhelming prevalence of poverty in our county.

The Institute For The Study of Homelessness and Poverty has an interesting study on their website, called, “City at a Crossroads, Poverty, Jobs, and the Future of Los Angeles.” It is published by the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy.

Here are some interesting (sad) facts:

· 30% of low wage workers in LA County have trouble putting food on the table.

· 12% of LA County residents can afford to buy a median priced home, compared to 38% 10 years ago.

· The 3 occupations with the most job openings in the next 6 years in LA are: retail salespersons, cashiers, and waiters/waitresses.

· 39% of LA County residents are eligible for government assistance.

· Median income in LA County fell 11% in the 1990s.

· 60% of the largest growing jobs in the next 6 years will pay less than $10 an hour.

“Nearly 40% of LA County residents are eligible for government assistance.” That means they are struggling with poverty. That also means that even if we deal with the already 88,000 people who are homeless, we still have another potential wave of people who could very well become homeless.

Ending homelessness will be a difficult battle.

I'm Out Of Town...

I'm not in L.A. today...

Mayor Villaraigosa’s Comments On Homelessness in His “State of The City” Address

Although education was the predominant theme in his “State of The City” speech last night, LA’s Mayor did mention homelessness.

Here is part of the text on homelessness:

ANGELENOS, WE NEED TO FACE THE TRAGEDY -- the human tragedy -- OF HOMELESSNESS IN THE WEALTHIEST CITY IN THE RICHEST STATE IN THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH.

WE’RE FORGING A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COUNTY. WE’RE REFORMING THE LOS ANGELES HOMELESS SERVICES AUTHORITY.

FOR THE FIRST TIME, WE’VE FULLY FUNDED THE HOUSING TRUST FUND AT 100 MILLION DOLLARS. But importantly, AND WE'VE INVESTED 50 MILLION IN PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR THE MENTALLY ILL AND CHRONICALLY HOMELESS. AND WE’RE BRINGING THE SAFER CITIES PROGRAM TO TARGET CRIME ON SKID ROW.

BUT, ANGELENOS, I WOULD SUBMIT TO YOU THAT WE CAN DO ALL THESE THINGS...WE CAN PUT MORE COPS ON OUR STREETS... WE CAN WORK TO KEEP TRAFFIC MOVING... WE CAN GREEN OUR CITY... WE CAN MAKE NEW OUR COMMITMENT TO DEAL HUMANELY WITH OUR HOMELESS...

Councilmember Jan Perry Responds To 9th Circuit Court Decision

In a strongly worded op-ed today in the L.A. Times, Los Angeles Councilmember Jan Perry responds to the court decision by starting off, “ACLU’s victory is a loss for skid row.”

Councilmember Perry represents parts of Central City East (“skid row”), and has been very active in resolving homelessness there. She expresses the frustrations of some community members who are desperately trying to resolve acute homelessness in this part of Los Angeles.

Here is how she ends her piece:

ANYONE WHO TRULY cares about the homeless will not rejoice in the court's decision. Law enforcement is not the problem. The LAPD has never swept the streets of downtown Los Angeles clear of the homeless, nor has it tried. But some attempt to restore order is necessary. For years, the anything-goes attitude toward skid row has created a culture of lawlessness in which many people (mostly African Americans) have died.

The 9th Circuit's decision will only reinforce the view of law enforcement authorities and mental health officials from outside Los Angeles that public drunks, drug users, homeless people and those suffering from mental illness belong not in their city, but in downtown L.A.

The city of Los Angeles cannot be held accountable by itself for housing the county's entire homeless population of 88,000. The whole region needs to step up. The city of Los Angeles will always bear the lion's share of the responsibility for providing housing and homeless services. But we can't do it all.

Mayor Celebrates Easter Weekend Washing Homeless Feet

Humility is a sign of good leadership.

Here's how Mayor Villaraigosa honored Good Friday:

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa washes the feet of Nailah Robinson, 11, whose family is currently homeless, at the Union Rescue Mission in the Skid Row area of downtown Los Angeles on Good Friday, April 14, 2006. The modern foot-washing ceremony is symbolic of the story of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples shortly before he was crucified. Today the homeless received new shoes after the foot-washing. (Photo: AP / Damian Dovarganes)

Father “Dollar Bill” Celebrates Easter Again…

Passing out one dollar bills to the homeless on Easter is Father Maurice Chase’s way of celebrating this Christian holiday.

I’ve commented before on his $15,000 give-away. (Last December.) So I don’t think I need to keep harping on this.

Here’s the article:

(CBS) LOS ANGELES A priest known as “Father Dollar Bill” plans to give out $15,000 in one dollar bills to the poor and homeless on Los Angeles’ Skid Row for Easter Sunday.

Father Maurice Chase, a Los Angeles Catholic priest and Skid Row activist, will give away the money at the Salvation Army Mission at Fifth and Stanford Streets starting at 10 a.m. Sunday.

The Easter gifts will be given to the poor and homeless. Larger amounts will be given to mothers with children, and the poorest and neediest will get one hundred dollar bills.

The Skid Row ministry is financially supported by Mrs. Bob Hope, Mrs. Frank Sinatra, Bob Newhart, Eli Broad, Mrs. Henry Mancini, Georgia Frontiere, Vin Scully and many others.