Homeless questions.

L.A. County supervisors have approved a sweeping plan to address the problem of homelessness in downtown L.A. by setting up suburban centers far from the urban core to serve the homeless. So the Business Journal asks:

Do you think the new plan will help downtown's renewal?

Alan Au

Client Relations

Manager

Jimmy Au's For Men

5'8" and Under

I'm not convinced spreading the shelters out may be enough to cause a migration to those shelters. Who decides who goes to which shelters? I'm sure the homeless have their own societal rules that they live by. The revitalization of downtown is going to happen regardless. The concern over the homeless may slow the process, but I don't think it will stop it. I wouldn't have a problem with a homeless shelter in my hometown. The question is what we can do to help them become contributing citizens again.

Steven A. Mindel

Managing Partner

Feinberg Mindel Brandt Klein & Kline LLP

My opinion is that moving these homeless services around the county is like putting a Band-Aid on a major artery that is Needing. It is clear that the homeless issue in Los Angeles is not going to be solved by scattering them throughout different cities. The best way to tackle it would be to address the issue directly. I am afraid that by scattering these homeless people around the suburbs, the authorities will build resentment in the people who live in those areas. Moving them out of downtown Los Angeles will help the downtown area's development but I am not sure it will help the homeless. The issue should be the homeless and how we can help them. To move them around where I live would not be efficient because they need services like transportation, etc.

Dr. Julian Omidi Pacific Surgery and Laser Institute

I really don't think this is a good idea. As the downtown Los Angeles area already has ser vices to treat the homeless, the expenditure should be focused on expanding the services in downtown to help homeless patients find shelter and if possible, assimilate them in the general work pool with work training programs and such. Redistributing the homeless to areas that historically do not have the resources and experience to deal with them does not solve any problem and may lead to homeless abuse.

Will Adams

Corporate Managing

Director

Studley

I think we need to look at the root of the problem and not focus on displacement as a solution. Busing the homeless out of downtown Los Angeles to random locations throughout the county does not benefit those people who are in this program. A better solution would be to see how the renaissance of downtown L.A. can decrease homelessness by providing employment opportunities to the people already there. I don't think it is realistic to move them to suburbs.

Irwin B. Feinberg

Partner

Feinberg Mindel Brandt Klein & Kline LLP

Moving the shelters is just one aspect. There are other reasons besides just the shelters, like access to the train station, food warehouse and the grocery district that keep these homeless people downtown. Moving homeless services to any suburban area will depend on what will come with the shelters. If a shelter is moved with a job training facility and adequate support then it can be considered. If it is just a shelter then it is just not compatible with a neighborhood with young children. It may aid in the revival of downtown Los Angeles. Look at what Santa Monica has done. They moved the homeless services to the areas surrounding City Hall so that they would not be concentrated around the promenade.