Homelessness plan to be complete in June of 2004
By Daily Press staff
The city of Santa Monica in partnership with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) is hosting a “Bring LA Home” community meeting and discussion at 6:30 p.m. in the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main St.
A panel recently convened to devise a plan to end homelessness in Los Angeles County within a decade. The plan is similar to those of dozens of other cities that are taking on the daunting task, which was spurred by the Bush Administration’s goal to rid the nation of its homeless population.
There are as many homeless people in all of Los Angeles County as there are residents in Santa Monica, an analysis of the county’s homeless population suggests. Of the 80,000 people who live on the streets at any given time during the year, only 2 percent of them live in Santa Monica.
And the panel of approximately 70 people — from politicians to business leaders to homeless advocates to faith-based organizations — hopes to end the problem that has plagued this city for decades. It’s considered the largest effort ever by community leaders to tackle a problem that some say is the biggest one facing the country.
And although Santa Monica handles 2 percent of the county’s homeless population, it’s a huge impact on the community, residents say. And with the exception of Venice, there aren’t many westside cities that share the burden of taking care of the homeless.
The panel, of which Santa Monica Mayor Richard Bloom is a member, met for the first time in November. An 80-page report was presented that outlines the problem, gives an analysis of who is homeless and why, and how many services they use each year.
Tonight’s meeting is one of approximately 20 community meetings held between December and February throughout LA County. The primary objective is to get residents’ input on the process and give suggestions on how to end homelessness. Then, the panel will lay a foundation for addressing the issue.
When the draft plan is finished in April, it will be presented to various communities within the county. The final plan is supposed to be done in June.
What leaders of the effort don’t know is how much it will cost or who will pay for it.
For further details on Bring LA Home and its Blue Ribbon Panel, visit www.bringLAhome.org.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 26, 2004. Read the original PDF.