The author of How to Increase Homelessness and CEO of PATH Partners, Joel John Roberts, describes the changing direction that Los Angeles is taking in hopes of finally achieving a long term plan that will truly help the poor stay off the streets for good. Homelessness has increased by 12% in the past two years! The discussion on homelessness needs to remain the focus, Los Angeles’ new proposal on homelessness can become a model for other cities facing the same issues. They have learned from past failures, such as “Bring LA home” in 2003 because they did not have the resources to back up their proposed solutions. What’s different this time is that significant financial commitments are being put on the table. The State Senate is proposing $2 billion for those that are homeless battling their mental illness. The County of Los Angeles will contribute $149 million in order to put into effect the new homeless plan on top off the $300 million they committed last year to Housing for Health and the Mental Health Services Act Housing programs. As Robert argues, money alone cannot solve homelessness, what is more thrilling is that there has been a collective effort and shift by the County and City of Los Angeles to help the most vulnerable people off the street. If every Public Housing Authority agency in the county makes it a point to prioritize 50% of their turnover units to those that are vulnerable, 10,000 people within five years can be sleeping in their own bed. It’s time we change how we approach homelessness, let’s prioritize those that are the most vulnerable and are prone to stay on the streets vs those who can maneuver the system on their own.

http://www.povertyinsights.org/2016/03/15/la-homeless-plan-find-change-here/