L.A. finally cares for homeless

Eric Garcetti, mayor of Los Angeles, plans to improve the homeless crisis plaguing the city by proposing that $20 million be divided up by 15 council districts and build 1,000 bed shelters in the next fiscal budget. The funding used to build 10,000 supportive housing units over the next 10 years comes from Measure HHH, which calls on the city to issue a $1.2 billion bond paid through property taxes. This plan is an enormous leap in the right direction, one that many other major cities should also take part in.

Angelenos have recognized that homelessness in their city has reached epidemic proportions, which is why the measure from the 2017 ballot was passed with 76 percent approval. Battered women with children, fostered youth, veterans, seniors and the disabled are also being focused on in this initiative.

Encampments and “tent cities” cover many streets across downtown Los Angeles where nearly 43,000 homeless people live. An emergency homeless shelter is set to be placed in Koreatown, which is a part of Los Angeles’ District 10, where more than 1,500 homeless people currently live. Some residents of Koreatown and nearby neighborhoods are opposed to the emergency shelter being built in the area. Backlash from locals reflect the unfortunate lack of concern about the other members of their community. People should be relieved that the city is finally taking steps to help all of its residents.

Garcetti has said that these shelters are intended for people to stay until they get back on their feet and that the plan involves more than just temporary housing. The proposition and implementation of the shelters are also different than other initiatives before because funds have been allocated within the budget for counseling, mental health and addiction services.

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