By Richard Hilton West Los Angeles Council of the Disabled Santa Monica
Bill Bauer’s column, “Homeless services: If we build it, they will come” (SMDP, Jan. 16, page 6) expresses the frustrations shared by many Santa Monica residents and taxpayers. Those of us who daily advocate and donate our time to mental health, homelessness, housing, and disability issues also are not always in agreement and there is no consensus on a solution.
Bauer refers to John Maceri, executive director, OPCC, who at the Aug. 4, 2003 Santa Monica Disabilities Commission, meeting spoke about the $7.4 million homeless shelter. As a member of the commission and a service provider who is familiar with the OPCC plan, I voted to support the facility and location. The City Council after a lengthy hearing approved the shelter but compromised by reducing the bed numbers, restricting daytime activities, and it will consider alternative uses for some of the site.
At our Jan. 5 commission meeting, the spending priorities of our disabled constituents was discussed, such as to suggest to the city services may be more expendable. Despite a personal commitment to mental health and the attendant community issues, I suggested that for the significant expenditure budgeted by the city for homeless services, more periodic review is needed to determine the success and effectiveness of these programs.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on January 21, 2004. Read the original PDF.