Los Angeles City Controller, Ron Galperin has criticized the pace at which the city has used the $1.2 billion in bond funds. Too Much Money Spent With Little to Show For It He also draws attention to the fact that the price of the apartments includes communal spaces and services to help with addiction, mental illness and ease the adjustment to permanent living. Rushmore Cervantes, general manager of the Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department, points out that the costs of building are largely outside of the control of the city. What Has Been Achieved With the $1.2 Billion? The city of Los Angeles is attempting to address the problem of homelessness, but the approach it’s taking to the situation is questionable, to say the least. It is currently spending more than the median house price of $618,000, according to CoreLogic, a real estate tracker, to build expensive apartments in trendy Koreatown for some homeless and low-income senior citizens. $700k Apartments and $300k Toilets For LA Homeless in Housing Crisis ScandalĪug$700k Apartments and $300k Toilets For LA Homeless in Housing Crisis Scandalīy Charles Laverty, Citizen Truth August 24, 2019 It would also be helpful to address the problem of homeowners using zoning and environmental protection as a cover to prevent development that could devalue their homes. The first step should be calling a halt to the development of apartments costing nearly $700k, that could make a difference. What is evident is that the city’s attempts are failing and a different approach is needed. Less taxation and reduced effort and cost to obtain approvals are just two measures Reducing the costs of housing and increasing availability is the only way to really make a difference. Government programs have achieved little to address the problem of homelessness. A Fundamental Change in Approach is Necessary Megan Hustings, managing director of the National Coalition for the Homeless in Washing, DC says that across the board, there has not been an investment in affordable, low-cost housing. Should the homeless be entitled to permanent housing? Are there lower-cost alternatives? Where should permanent units for homeless people be located? Should they be situated in lower-income neighborhoods where land is cheaper or scattered throughout the city? Investment in Affordable, Low-Cost Housing NecessaryĬities worldwide are grappling with the problem of homelessness and how to deal with it. He says building units that are not going to be seen for years and costing $400,000 to $500,000 per unit is not a solution. It will provide 120 beds for homeless women who currently sleep in the chapel. Rev Bales says he can’t believe how much money has been spent by the city and how little there is to show for it. CEO Rev Andy Bales says that the large fabric structure being built will have air conditioning, heating and access to clean restrooms. In contrast to the expensive apartments being built by the City, the Union Rescue Mission is approaching the homelessness problem in a different way at a fraction of the cost. They will have access to a fitness center, common areas and various services. The keys to these apartments will be handed to some lucky homeless people and low-income senior citizens next year. The building of 72 units is currently taking place in Koreatown at a projected cost of $690,692 each. The problem is that there is not much to show for the money spent and the homelessness crisis continues to grow. In 2016 he supported the passing of a $1.2 billion bond measure with the hope of building about 10,000 permanent housing units for the homeless. Mayor Eric Garcetti, according to his spokesman, is looking for innovative solutions that can be scaled to deal with the problem. Reducing the costs of housing and increasing availability is the only way to really make a difference in our homelessness crisis.
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