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Francis DellaVecchia on Housing and Homelessness

We Must Decrease the Suffering

[::] No one in the City of Los Angeles should be without food or shelter
- Must be seen as "our" problem, not "theirs"
- Explore solutions to the circumstances and deeper issues that lead to homelessness
- Most factors contributing to homelessness are not crimes, therefore, we must stop treating the victims as criminals
- Redirect public and private funding toward drug treatment, counseling, education, retraining and institutionalization when necessary.
- Create incentives for top architects to design sustainable, affordable housing.

No one in this rich country of ours should have to live without food or shelter. Many of the homeless are victims of a staggering array of one or more problems: mental illness, substance addiction, lack of education, or lack of family. These are not crimes, and yet we often treat the victims as criminals; we round them up in their time of need, and move them on or take them to jail. It will always be difficult to build enough affordable housing for all of these people. In fact, many in their present condition might not even benefit from merely a roof over their head. But through a variety of approaches, we can begin to reduce the suffering.

Treatment for all who Need It

In the eighties, we opened the doors of the mental institutions, and we are still feeling the effects of Pandora's Box. Homelessness in America, even in this era of prosperity, has reached staggering proportions. The unfortunate have blended in to the landscape, not only in our largest cities, but even in suburban and rural America. We need to offer treatment for all who need it. That may include substance treatment, psychological counseling, or institutionalization. Money must be redirected away from agencies and programs that merely get these people out of sight for short periods, and toward policies that improve their lives and get them off the streets for good. Empower People to do it Themselves

For those who are mentally and physically capable, affordable, sustainable housing can be built with their own hands. The Cal EARTH project has demonstrated this. They have some wonderful ideas for developments, using materials that are nearly free. We must invest in programs that let the homeless invest in themselves. You don't measure a society by how well the rich live. The rich do well the world over. The measure of a society is how it treats its poorest, meekest citizens. We certainly do not measure up. Below is a sample panel for a web cast on housing and homelessness. CRA Chair HUD Rep. Big Issue editor Homeless advocate Homeless single person Homeless family Police officer Substance counselor Mental Health worker.