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# Letter: Matt DiNolfo on Santa Monica's homeless problem and need for coordinated solutions
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/101204-story-20041012-6/
- Published: 2004-10-12T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T05:17:02.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import, Homeless

*By MATT DINOLFO*

I define the homeless problem as a chronic condition of our culture that has been concentrated in our community due to our willingness to be more tolerant than our neighbors and a very active, well-intentioned support system that operates to provide aid in our parks and shelters. Over the years these two qualities have combined to reinforce the very behavior they seek to eradicate, such that, in addition to those truly in need, we have a sub-culture of vagrancy that severely impacts our quality of life.

Therefore, any strategy that expects to be effective for this problem must address the diversity of the population, in that it contains elderly, indigent families, mentally ill, drug-or alcohol-addicted, the criminal, and the young runaway. Each individual group has very pressing social needs, and interventions must be commensurately individualized.

Of additional concern is what appears to be a growing philosophical divide between providers of homeless services and members of the community. To disassociate ourselves from those who are administering aid is counterproductive. We need to join together to craft practical solutions.

At this juncture, decisive direction is needed. A comprehensive overview of existing feeding and shelter programs is a priority. Information gained from analysis of successful programs in other cities (i.e. Philadelphia, New York) should be applied to Santa Monica. Benchmarks should be established and those programs not meeting them closed. Local ordinances that were developed regarding sleeping in doorways and park feedings should be enforced. A vigorous dialogue with adjoining communities, insisting that Santa Monica not shoulder a disproportionate burden, needs to occur. Santa Monica should work in concert with the strategies outlined in Bring LA Home in an effort to develop regional solutions. Finally, any government funding available to aid each of these diverse populations should be aggressively pursued.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on October 12, 2004.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/101204.pdf?ref=smdp.com)