L.A. has a new bond issue and a new sales tax for homelessness. But Mayor Eric Garcetti and the City Council actions to alleviate homelessness have been tepid and slow. Affordable housing developer and Michael Russell has some suggestions.
Los Angeles passed a $1.2 billion bond measure in November to fund homeless housing. Then in March, it was a quarter-cent sales tax for homelessness, which is estimated to raise as much as $355 million annually. Unimpressed with the initial plans of Mayor Garcetti and the City Council in the wake of the new found money, affordable housing consultant Michael Russell suggests they start by following the lead of a couple of other Mayors—one present (Bill de Blasio in New York City) and one past (Tom Bradley in Los Angeles). Contrasting the city's current tepid actions, Russell suggests how Tom Bradley would have done it:
"On the day after the November election, Mayor Bradley would have filled council chambers with his advisory committee, each of the council members, homeless advocates, homeless service providers. This gathering would be comparable to the announcement of the 1984 Olympics. The meeting would have been led by John Argue, the articulate leader of the Olympics effort (Today, I would recommend Rick Caruso). It would be a day for each of the council members and the homeless in that district. (Yes, they would have been bused to City Hall.) All the media would be there. The Mayor’s message: “We are going to solve this HUMAN issue.”
Over the Thanksgiving weekend, the Mayor would have hosted 20 “block parties” for the homeless. With the help of United Way, Red Cross, Union Rescue Mission and major caters, music and other events would have lifted the spirits of all these people.
Of course, none of this happened. Mayor Garcetti and the City Council do not think this way, but this is how problems get solved."
In addition to expanding on how Bradley would put the money into action, Russell also contrasts New York City's actions on homelessness, then concludes with nine essential changes that must be made "to change the trajectory of the homeless population." For details, please see the source article.
FULL STORY: LA’s new homeless money: What Garcetti could learn from Bradley and de Blasio
Will Appeal of Landmark Appeals Court Ruling Allow for Clearing of Tent Cities?
If the Supreme Court hears an appeal of a landmark U.S. Ninth Circuit Court case settled in April, the ruling would have widespread implications for dealing with homeless encampments throughout the West, perhaps nowhere more so than Los Angeles.
Homeless Shelters a Tough Sell With Neighborhood Activists
A plan to streamline approval of a wave of homeless facilities in the city of Los Angeles is running into an early snag with an emergency shelter proposed for a parking lot in the Koreatown neighborhood.
Temporary Trailers Will House Homeless in Downtown L.A.
If approved, a City Council motion would mark a shift in how Los Angeles deals with a rising number of homeless residents.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.
The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.
The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.
DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)