October 5, 2024 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

Addressing the Homeless Issue

By Jeff Hall, Founding Publisher| This homeless situation drives me nuts. I’m encouraged to see Michelle Bisnoff and Carolyn Jordan grab hold of the steering wheel, at least here in Brentwood (see story, page 1).

After years and years of our elected officials doing very little, the taxpayers finally took it upon themselves to raise the money required to build housing for homeless and to provide all the “wrap-around” services (mental health, nutrition, hygiene, job training) that will help get these folks back up on their feet.

So all the excuses are gone. The money is there.

What have we heard so far? The West L.A. VA is willing to take in 10 cars with homeless veterans sleeping inside each night. I guess that’s a start, but it seems pretty pathetic.

Each city council district member has been asked to find housing for 222 units. With 15 districts, that’s 3,330 units. If we can squeeze two individuals into each unit, that’s 6,660 homeless off the street.

That’s great. But that leaves close to 50,000 still on the street.

Even if our political leaders do all they say they will, building 10,000 units of housing over 10 years at a cost of $1.2 billion, we’ll still be leaving approximately 35,000 on the streets. If we can fit two into a unit, that’s 20,000 served. But we start with an estimated homeless population of 55,000.

The crisis is much bigger than the politicians are willing to acknowledge, and their proposed solutions are so piecemeal – “Oh boy, we found a big parking lot we can build on” – that it’s hard to become inspired.

San Diego has done something pretty amazing. Last year there was a hepatitis A outbreak among a homeless encampment. Soon 20 people were dead and nearly 600 were sickened. That caused city leaders to spring into action.

They built three huge tents, that, in barracks-like fashion, that house over 700 people. The tents took two months to build, at a fraction of the cost permanent supportive housing will cost.

The tents aren’t a perfect, nor permanent, solution. But they offer real hope that we could actually get significant numbers of homeless off the sidewalks in fairly short order at an affordable price.

And the homeless people living in these new tents say they beat the hell out of living on the sidewalks. Everything they need – food, portable toilets, showers, bunkbeds, security, access to mental health professionals and job counselors – is all right there.

At least with tents we can do something for these folks – and in the near-term. It took San Diego only two months to erect the three tents, at a cost of $1.1 million – not bad.

Now those living in the San Diego tents say they are eager to move into more permanent housing, but that will take time.

I’m sure it will take time. that’s why I think the big tents are worth a try. They bridge the gap as something better gets built.

Michelle Bisnoff, co-chair of the Brentwood Community Council Task Force on Homelessness, has already visited the big tents in San Diego. She was impressed.

I am heading down to San Diego in coming days to see all this for myself. I’ll take a lot of pictures and report in next month. There’s hope.

Related Posts

Bitcoin Mining in Los Angeles and Its Economic Impact

August 12, 2024

August 12, 2024

Once a quirky computer pastime for the geek squad, bitcoin mining has become a significant economic force in places like...

How to Stay Safe While Enjoying Digital Entertainment in West LA

August 5, 2024

August 5, 2024

Recent developments have shown that so much of people’s daily lives are centered on the internet. A 2021 survey conducted...

Why Choose Local Florists for Your Flower Delivery?

May 12, 2024

May 12, 2024

Finding local florists has become easier than ever with the advent of digital marketplaces. Opting for Nashville flower delivery near...

8 Essential Things to Do After a Car Accident in Las Vegas

April 16, 2024

April 16, 2024

A car crash can be extremely traumatic for the people involved in it. Even if there is no major injury...

8 Essential Things to Do After a CarAccident in Las Vegas

April 8, 2024

April 8, 2024

A car crash can be extremely traumatic for the people involved in it. Even if there is no major injury...

Foreign Currency in International Business Expansion

January 2, 2024

January 2, 2024

Business has transformed into a whole different dimension. The interconnectedness across countries is increasing the feasibility of business expansions. It...

How to Select Quality Solar Panels and Installation in California

January 2, 2024

January 2, 2024

As solar energy becomes more affordable and popular, many homeowners in California are considering installing solar panels. However, not all...

Celebrating Christmas in Las Vegas: A Winter Wonderland of Fun and Festivity

November 15, 2023

November 15, 2023

As the festive season approaches, Las Vegas transforms into a glittering winter wonderland, offering a unique and magical Christmas experience....

Navigating Oxnard’s Public Transportation System: A Driver’s Guide

November 2, 2023

November 2, 2023

Whether you live in Oxnard or want to visit, it’s useful to know how to get around this coastal city....

15 Tips For Keeping Burglars Out Of Your Business

October 16, 2023

October 16, 2023

In the ever-evolving realm of business security, the persistent threat of burglary perpetually looms overhead like a dark cloud. The...

US Gambling Laws

July 12, 2023

July 12, 2023

Whilst casino gaming is a significant part of the American culture, US gambling laws are ever-changing. Prior to the Unlawful...

Reasonable Renting in The City of Angels

June 2, 2023

June 2, 2023

What would it be like to wake up in a bustling metropolis filled with endless possibilities, set against rows of...

BEST BITCOINS CASINO 2023: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

May 29, 2023

May 29, 2023

Bitcoins casino and cryptocurrency casinos are in full swing, and they will increase users exponentially in the coming years. However,...

Messi Drives Up Ticket Prices Up for this MLS Season.

May 4, 2023

May 4, 2023

Lionel Messi’s arrival in Major League Soccer (MLS) is already causing a stir, and the profound effect it is having...

Don’t Miss Your Last Chance to Experience CORTEO by Cirque du Soleil!

April 25, 2023

April 25, 2023

The Show’s Run At The Microsoft Theater Ends On April 30  Time is running out for fans of CORTEO by...