Rich Alossi on September 04, 2008, at 10:20AM – #1

I've definitely noticed this increase. Looking out over Los Angeles Street from my apartment, the steady movement of tents west is highly visible.

At first I commented about the increase and thought it was due to the summer weather. I hope as fall and winter advance these individuals can seek more stable shelter.

Brian on September 04, 2008, at 10:35AM – #2

Thanks for the information Ed.

Curbing the homeless problem is something I hope the city is confronting head on. I'll be honest and say I am not sure what initiatives are underway or have taken place, can anyone shed some light?

JM on September 04, 2008, at 12:38PM – #3

Thanks for confirming my suspicions, Ed. I've noticed the uptick recently and I've put it down to the worsening economy, which means things will only deteriorate. I can't understand how this is taking place within a stone's throw of City Hall and nothing ever changes. We talk about gentrification and revitalization, yet we can't find a long-term solution for helping the men, women and children on our streets. Shame on us all!

Brigham on September 04, 2008, at 01:24PM – #4

Yeah tell me about it...

A homeless man followed me from the NE corner of Main/5th to 4th/Spring...talking to me all the way. Initially, as we were waiting at the intersection at Main/5th, he started counting down when the light would turn green ("...muthafucka turn green!"). I just said a "wow" because he actually got it dead on. But after that, he was like "Now you need to give me a chance (to get paid)." So he started rambling on and on about some rhyme he learned and followed me (right next to me) until I got to 4th/Spring. Luckily there were a lot of people in front of Rocket Pizza, which helped get rid of him when I repeated "I don't have money, ok?"

Anyway, that scenario wasn't the first time I was "harassed" by the homeless. This would NEVER happen to me almost anywhere else in LA. It CANNOT GO ON. This is ridiculous.

Brigham on September 04, 2008, at 01:28PM – #5

BTW, that scenario happened last night. I walked down to 5th/Main to see if I could walk by the Nickel Diner because I haven't seen it yet. But man, once I got to 5th/Main, it was teeming with homeless. And instead of continuing to walk south on Main, I decided to cross the street (to the Rosslyn Lofts) to head on back to the OBD. And that's when he started following me.

Juanito on September 04, 2008, at 02:17PM – #6

Winter/cold season headed towards us. Back when, there would be quite a population difference between December and June.

That big digital readout that will adorn the highrise under construction at 9th & Fig: they oughta screen 'On The Nickel' for the Gold Coasters. Confront them with what happens half a mile away; play it every day at five p.m. The opening scene remains in memory, particularly: Ralph Waite waking up beneath the great Fig, fast beside abandoned Clay Street.

jim winstead on September 04, 2008, at 03:31PM – #7

many of the folks you see hanging out on main street between 5th and 6th aren't homeless, they are residents of the handful of residential hotels along that street. the leonide, pershing, etc.

Don Garza on September 04, 2008, at 04:30PM – #9

What you are seeing Rich and others is the result of new image shelter losing money for beds.

Everyone associates tents with an increase in homelessness. I have seen an increase of supposed homeless people in skid row because the SCI has slowed down. IN certain areas you will see more numbers than others. I am starting to see an influx of the regulars that used to come down here to score drugs and an increase in drug dealers that I hadn't seen in a while.

Jim is correct. ON hot days , in the evenings , many of those on Main Street are having to be out in the evenings and the day because their rooms are boiling hot. Just because those people are black does not mean they are homeless.

The numbers are more or less the same. What you are seeing at operation safe sleep and on the streets of skid row is a result of the new image shelter losing over 150 beds. Money is tight, resources are low. That is why we seem to be having an influx of homeless .You need to follow Andy Bales blog at www.urm.org to know what is really happening , he is tuned in to all of the reasons. These blogs can only speculate and not really prove the causation. What we have seen is an increase , once again, with families in skid row. If you read Andy's blog you will see that the simplest answer is usually the right one.

What I was told by an MTA driver who drives by the greyhound bus station was that many of those that are now coming are young people from all over the country. They are seeking and looking for skid row. WOW!!!!!

yukyuyk on September 04, 2008, at 09:35PM – #10

Brigham, if you hadn't interacted with the guy (i.e. your exclaimed "Wow"), I'm sure you would have been well on your way alone. The trick is to know which ones to ignore.

Mullavey on September 04, 2008, at 11:41PM – #11

Has any city in North America, or even the world, gotten a handle on homelessness? Or at least the kind of homelessness that shares the specific demographics and history found in Los Angeles?

Maybe other cities, such as Seattle or Portland on the west coast to New York City or Boston on the east, aren't as bad because of their climate, referring to towns that see far more days of rain and snow? If so, LA's fate is sealed forever by Mother Nature.

Or is it because other cities dole out bigger stacks of money on social programs, and favor a more socialized approach to government policies? If so, how does one explain the high rates of homelessness in San Francisco?

So what's the reason, and what's the answer, if any?

Don Noyes-More on September 06, 2008, at 10:22AM – #12

Helping the homeless is now even more important with all the families on the streets. Please consider giving to: The Midnight Mission- URL: http://www.midnightmission.org/

Thanks and God Bless all those that care.

Don Noyes-More Editor