Here Comes The (Homeless) Judge…

We’ve been working with L.A. Superior Court Judge Michael Tynan for more than half a decade. He helped start the homeless court in the PATH Mall, which is now named after him.

The Long Beach Press Telegram recently highlighted his good work, since Judge Tynan was speaking at conference at the Long Beach Convention Center.

Judge Tynan has developed a homeless court where he “sentences” non-violent offenders to support services rather than jail. In other words, he sends them to get a job, or a high school diploma, or deal with a drug addiction. And if a case manager can verify a person’s success, Judge Tynan clears the record.

Addressing root causes of homelessness is much more effective than simply punishing people for being in an environment that most have not chosen to be in.

When Celebrities Do Good…

I know we crave for news about the declining antics of L.A.’s most talked about celebrity, Britney Spears. But in the world of helping hurting people, it is certainly better to talk about those who are doing good.

Take Paula Deen, for example. This famous Food Network cooking diva, with her southern cooking, southern accent, and funny gazes into the camera is promoting an important fact—that there are Americans who could never afford the meals on her very show, and they are going hungry.

So Paula and her sons are on a “Helping Hungry Homes” tour trying to raise funds and help provide food for hungry Americans.

We all know that going hungry is the very first step toward becoming homeless.

(Pic from http://www.backinthedaybakery.com/)

Homelessness: It's Not Just An American Thing

Looks like Paris, France is struggling with homelessness like most cities here in America. Although, there they say that 25% of the people living on the streets are foreigners.

As for the exact number of homeless people in Paris, no-one is sure. According to Didier Cusserne, the deputy general of Emmaus, a French charity offering the homeless a roof, 25% of homeless people are those without official papers. As well as French people, there are foreigners and foreign workers in the streets, many also coming from eastern Europe, he notes.

Perhaps one should regard homelessness as a part of the bohemian legend of Paris. Young artists come here in search of inspiration and have not thought about the money and accommodation. Cusserne agrees with that theory to some extent. ‘A lot of people think that it is better in Paris, but they are soon forced to change their minds. Maybe it's better to be homeless here than in a railway station in Warsaw.’

Here is a pictorial gallery of homelessness in Paris. (Click here.)

When Libraries Become Homeless Shelters

I’ve written about this before, but it appears that Emilio Estevez has also heard about the fact that local public libraries are becoming safe havens for homeless people. He is producing a movie called, “The Public” that documents libraries becoming de-facto homeless shelters.

With the lack of shelter, let alone permanent housing, becoming rampant around the country, people who are desperate for housing are turning to their local libraries. There, they can find warm chairs, things to read, rest rooms, and even internet access.

Makes sense for people who are searching for a safe place to go. But it certainly doesn’t make sense on a policy level.

Communities should be developing ways to prevent and end homelessness. We should not allow institutions that are designed for other uses—i.e., libraries, hospitals, etc.—to be used to shelter homeless people.

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/)