By Charles Springer Santa Monica
In the past, Mr. (Bill) Bauer and I have had many differences of opinion, most dealing with homelessness and its causes and effects; but in his most recent column “Rent hikes help wealthy and put screws to the poor” (SMDP, 6/19/06, page 4), I must agree with his assessment of this situation wholeheartedly.
The poor have been taking it in the keester for years, if not decades, so that the wealthy upper-crust can keep their “quality of life” intact. Within the past decade, it has been at the cost of low-income housing. The debacle in Venice Beach (Lincoln Place apartments) is but one of many instances where low-income housing has been squeezed out, or outright taken away. This is one of the major causes of homelessness, which is a huge issue with many of you in Santa Monica.
Some of you gripe and complain about it, but you sit and let the rent soar through the roof. I am thinking that most of you who do the most complaining are the ones who pay this high rent and are, in some way, shape or form, profiting from the real estate market or the upscale business which has all but driven out the small businesses from the area.Now the rent will be hiked for the poor,while the rich reap the benefits.Sooner than later,the effects of this will be felt — then those who stand on the backs of the poor will eventually get bitten.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on June 22, 2006. Read the original PDF.