NPR Looks at Development's Effect on the Homeless

Just listened to the NPR story. Though I do feel the same way you do regarding the homeless issue vs. redevelopment, I didn’t really see the NPR story as one way or the other. In fact, I didn’t hear the story take a stand in any direction. They let the interviewees do all the talking.

It makes me wonder what everybody that complains do with their free time. Are they doing something about it or just voicing a concern w/o belaboring the logistics of starting a homeless shelter program from stratch… cause that can’t be an easy thing.

And the homeless man that started living by the LA River since 1997… in 8 years, he can’t get a job… People graduate from Junior College, transfer to a university, then get their masters in that amount of time – while working a night job. I’m not sure where I have to feel sorry since I work my butt off and he’s had 8 years off. It didn’t mention if he was a vet or disabled, but I find it impossible to defend such a person.

I’d like to brag for a moment here. I feel I have the right to say something b/c I really am doing something about it… but I have standards. Gallery Row is definitely a component that contributes to the gentrification of homeless. Knowing full well the extent of “inconvenience” we cause to those w/o jobs… we are in the process of launching a program called “WILL CREATE FOR FOOD.” It’s a food delivery program sponsored by Albertsons to homeless shelters in Downtown. Originally, we wanted to brown bag it and give it out to anybody that was hungry, but it’s amazingly difficult to do that w/o upsetting people. You have provide a moving kitchen, portapotties, a sink with running water, security, and a clean-up crew. That’s impossible for a non-profit w/o no income and whose mission statement is entirely different from this effort.

We changed our paradigm when we realized the actual costs to make it happen vs. the actual good it will do. We’re now only looking at shelters that house people that are actually doing something to better themselves. Personally, the way I see it, they want a second chance, then they should get one. Those that continue to abuse drugs and alcohol and purposefully sleep on the streets can move down a block when an art gallery moves in. But we’re doing our best to alleviate suffering, while at the same time, championing every effort towards revitalization.

I agree somewhat with NIc Cha Kim. But each case is and should be treated on an individual basis.

Revitalization is a wonderful tool to creat funding sources , even funding sources for loans to the artists gallery , through funding sources such as the Neighborhood Grants which are given to non-profits such as NIche and Gallery Row etc.

I can brag as well , I was a proponent of the revitalization of Gallery Row and was on the Redevelopment Plan City Center plan which will put money into redevelopment Dwontown including over 1500 units of Housing for low income renters as well as money towards teh projects all over Downtown that are creating market rate housing too.

But I have to ask , we hear people like NIc Cha Kim touting that he is creating econoimic vitality in the area , but so far we have not seen the documentation which shows that these investments are sending viable income back to the local city government which lent these peole the money to create their arts businesses.

Actually I don’t see any goal orientation of the story on NPR either. It really does nothing to help the situation here downtown.

Many people who live here , even the low income people are also doing things to help thier neighbors.

Gallery Row has never received a Neighborhood grant.
Niche is NOT a non-profit and is also totally financed out of my own pocket. I also did not take out a loan to create Niche.

I don’t understand what you mean by documentation. Besides, what kind of income is the local city government supposed to make by lending money? As long as the loans are paid back with interest, there’s really no argument there. It’s a bogus statement and off the mark since the thread is about homelessness vs. redevelopment.

I do agree that each case should be reviewed on an individual basis.