Regular readers of my blog will know that a few weeks ago, our congregation participated in a Town Hall Meeting in which we were addressing the need for more affordable housing in the City of Los Angeles. It was an astounding success.
The Spectrum Blog very graciously posted a little YouTube of me being interviewed on ABC 7 News. What ensued was a thread of 85 comments. That conversation basically evolved into a debate about economics and strategies of alleviating poverty and homelessness. It was an interesting conversation that I admit I dropped out of, due to time constraints more than anything. My own blog has suffered of late.
I ran across this article, "Moving the homeless out of shelters, into homes," in the Christian Science Monitor. While not directly related to our affordable housing work, it does relate to another type of housing we've been advocating for in Hollywood - also through our partnership with LA Voice. This is something called Permanent Supportive Housing. It's catching on all over the country and while some of our most strident "free-market" evangelists will no doubt shudder, the information should be taken on its own terms.
My friend, Shane Goldsmith, recently wrote this post at LA's Homeless Blog - the blog of Joel Roberts, CEO of PATH (People Assisting the Homeless). I have put dozens and dozens of hours into promoting and shepherding the Gower Villas project from it's inception. I serve on the Gower Advisory Committee, where we are currently reviewing architectural renderings.
Read it here and tell me what you think in the comments below.
*Answer: Homes!
I think this is awesome!
For those that would say jobs, really many homeless are in a hopeless catch 22 situation with an inability to secure employment without a permanent address and an inability to secure housing without proof of employment. ... and thats for those homeless that are not mentally ill and/or need health care.
Really, the homeless are the least of these in our society. I think Jesus had something to say about those people.
Keep up the good work!
Posted by: Johnny A. Ramirez | August 22, 2007 at 12:36 AM