Read about APA Los Angeles' COVID-19 Response
Sign up for our Newsletter
  • About APA Los Angeles
    • Leadership
    • Meetings & Bylaws
    • 2019-2021 Strategic Plan
    • Policy & Legislation
    • State & National APA
    • Contact Us
  • Professional Development
    • University Engagement & Student Support
    • Young & Emerging Planners
    • AICP – Get & Stay Certified
    • Leadership Program
  • News & Events
    • News & Newsletter
    • Events
    • Blog
    • Submit an Announcement
  • Awards
    • 2023 Planning Awards
    • Past Awards
  • Resources
    • Diversity Initiatives
    • Jobs
    • RFPs & RFQs
    • Consultant Directory
    • Links
  • Join & Support
    • Join APA
    • Swag Store
    • Sponsorship & Advertising

News & Blog Posts

Comment are off

Homelessness is a Manmade Disaster

06 Jan 2021
Ashley Hefner
homelessness, Midnight Mission, permanent supportive housing, Rick Cole
Homelless peoplle llook ttowarrd tthe miissiion as tthose iin need sttand iin lliine fforr p rrepackaged llunches and ttoiillettrriies durriing tthe Miidniightt Miissiion’’s Banquett off Hope Eventt Miidniightt Miissiion iin Los Angelles on Frriiday,, Octtoberr 16,, 2020.. ((Photto by Keiitth Biirrmiingham,, Pasadena Sttarr--News// SCNG))

Homeless people look toward the mission as those in need stand in line for prepackaged lunches and toiletries during the Midnight Mission’s Banquet of Hope Event Midnight Mission in Los Angeles on Friday, October 16, 2020. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)

Imagine a natural disaster striking Los Angeles. The epicenter is Downtown. Tens of thousands of our neighbors are displaced across the county. The magnitude of the catastrophe means government aid is sluggish. People begin erecting tents on sidewalks.

Years later, despite massive public spending, the tents are still there, 50,000 living without roofs, plumbing or safe places to cook their meals.

Of course you donʼt have to imagine it. We are living through a man-made disaster.

If there had been a massive earthquake, we would have found solutions. It would  have required a huge mobilization of public, private and charitable efforts, but we would not have let down our neighbors. Homelessness is different.

Why? Three toxic emotions warp our reaction to tens of thousands of homeless people living on the streets: hostility, apathy and cynicism.

Hostility is everywhere on social media. It explodes when a site is proposed for a shelter or permanent supportive housing. It demonizes the homeless as dirty, degenerate and dangerous. Apathy is also widespread. Many simply accept homelessness as a feature of urban life, a sad but inevitable byproduct of a free- market economy. After all, didnʼt Jesus say, “The poor ye shall always have with  you?” Cynicism is pervasive. The problem is too large, capitalism too ruthless, government too inefficient.

Hostility, apathy and cynicism cloud our judgment. There are solutions to homelessness. They arenʼt easy, cheap or popular. But endemic homelessness isnʼt either. Fifty thousand people living in makeshift camps and sleeping in doorways is a disaster for Los Angeles County.  When disasters happen, Americans rise to the occasion. Ending homelessness will make us healthier, safer and more prosperous. Letʼs fix it.

The solutions are already in sight — we just donʼt have enough of them. Itʼs estimated that more than 80,000 people in L.A. County fell into homelessness during 2019. More than 50,000 actually found a way out with help from government and nonprofit services. Another 22,769 were placed in housing.

The biggest bottleneck for solving homelessness is building enough “permanent supportive housing.” Recovering from mental illness, addiction or family trauma means some people need more than just an apartment they can afford. But such housing and services are unwelcome and expensive. Overcoming neighborhood hostility, bringing down the cost and allocating more money are crucial to a lasting solution. Tall orders, but doable.

In the meantime, we need more temporary and transitional housing. “Tiny homes” and “pallet shelters” are better than tents on sidewalks, especially if they offer access to toilets, showers, hot meals and social services. Here again, the key is bringing down the cost, allocating more funding and finding sufficient sites.

We need better data and better organization. The sprawling “homeless industrial complex” is expensive and inefficient. Itʼs not rocket science to improve coordination and manage for results. The best way to secure more funding is to more effectively deploy the money weʼre already spending.

Rick Cole

Rick Cole

Government canʼt do it all. Nonprofits are stretched. We need more housed people to donate and volunteer. Like the fable of the child who rescued stranded starfish, anyone can make a difference. You can offer a job, help serve meals, rent an empty backhouse, or simply be a friend to assist someone getting back on their feet.

Hostility, apathy and cynicism wonʼt cure it. Compassion, caring and activism will. Instead of accepting homelessness as something we cannot change, itʼs time to change something we cannot accept.

Rick Cole is the former mayor of Pasadena and city manager of Azusa, Ventura and Santa Monica. He welcomes feedback at venturacole@yahoo.com.

Reprinted with the permission of the Pasadena Star-News.

 

 


This post reflects the views of the author and not those of APA Los Angeles. This disclaimer applies to any APA Los Angeles blog posts, documents, information, webinars, or opinions obtained from or ancillary to the aforementioned. You are advised to read this disclaimer carefully before accessing, participating in, reading, or making any other use of anything from the APA Los Angeles website. APA Los Angeles makes no representations or warranties about the accuracy or suitability of the information provided on the website and related materials (such as hand-outs, presentation documents, and recordings). The information contained on the website and related materials are not intended to constitute advice of any kind or the rendering of consulting, or other professional services. For webinars, registering only constitutes an agreement to attend, not a contract for consultancy or advice. Registration does not establish any contractual relationship with APA Los Angeles. You should consult with an attorney, consultant or other professional to determine what may be best for your individual needs. The opinions expressed in a webinar, blog post, or otherwise are those of the speaker(s) only, and may not necessarily represent the views of APA Los Angeles, APA California, National APA, or any local section. To the extent permitted by law, APA Los Angeles and its agents and experts exclude any and all liability for any loss, claim or damage, cost or expense, including any indirect or consequential damages or lost profit, whether arising in negligence or otherwise, suffered in connection with the access to, participation in, or use of a webinar, blog post, or other information on the website, by you or any other person. By acceding to this service, you acknowledge that the information and materials contained in the aforementioned may contain inaccuracies or errors. The content of the information provided on the website is for your general information and use only. It is subject to change at any time and without notice.  Webinars, blog posts, and other pages may include links to other resources or websites. These links are provided for your convenience only and do not signify that APA Los Angeles endorses, approves, or makes any representation or claim regarding the accuracy, copyright compliance, legality, or any other aspects of, the resource(s) or website(s). Further, you are advised not to send any confidential or sensitive information to APA Los Angeles in the context of a webinar.

Social Share

  • google-share

Recent News

2023 Planning Awards

02 Mar 2023

Coming Soon: Call for 2023 Awards Applications and Jurors!

26 Jan 2023

2023 Student Showcase - Now Accepting Abstracts

06 Jan 2023

APA Los Angeles Board Seeks Student Representatives for the 2022-2023 Academic Year!

09 Dec 2022

Help Shape the Future of the Valley at the 2023 Our Region | Our Future Summit

23 Nov 2022

APA California Sections

  • Central
  • Central Coast
  • Inland Empire
  • Los Angeles
  • Northern
  • Orange County
  • Sacramento Valley
  • San Diego

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Join APA
  • Contact Us

Search

facebook
twitter
instagram
linkedin
© APA Los Angeles