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# You have to earn a roof over your head
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/you-have-to-earn-a-roof-over-your-head-editor/
- Published: 2005-04-15T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-23T06:38:54.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import, Homeless

*By Peter Shopay Santa Monica*

Regarding Penny Elsberry’s letter (SMDP, April 12, page 4). After reading this remarkable view on how the city should build homeless housing instead of a park on the former Fisher Lumber site, I can only surmise that Penny herself is homeless.

When someone can’t afford something, Penny, they shouldn’t buy it. When someone doesn’t have a job, money or any desire for either, they shouldn’t look to live in one of the most expensive areas in the country. Unless of course if the city is going to start awarding free housing. If that’s the case, then we should all quit working and start lining up. Heck, I’ll even sell my car. I’ll go to the beach every day.

I’ll ride my bike... Oh wait, it’s my tax money that’s paying for this housing, and without that money there is no free housing. So wait, I’m confused, why do they get free housing and I have to work and pay taxes? How about the people who work the low-paying fast food jobs and retail jobs? I’m willing to bet they have a hard time making ends meet each month. Do they get free housing? How about all the housekeepers, city workers and gardeners who commute here? They actually contribute to this community, do they get free housing?

This goes for everyone. Please think about what you are saying when you push the city for housing for the homeless. Where do you draw the line? How about we keep the well-being of our tax-paying citizens in mind first.

I will now go to Beverly Hills and sit on a park bench until the city gives me a house.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on April 15, 2005.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/041505.pdf?ref=smdp.com)