Opinion: L.A. needs housing for the homeless, not new luxury apartments

To the editor: I am flabbergasted to read that “more than 10,000 residential units are under construction, with thousands more planned” in downtown Los Angeles. Based on a recent article in The Times, there are promotions to rent luxury apartments already built downtown because they cannot be rented. (“Developer plans Pershing Square condo tower with balcony lap pools,” Oct. 7)

Let’s not forget there are people leaving our city because of the cost of living.

Let’s not forget there are more than 47,000 homeless people in L.A. County, a number that is growing because of the lack of affordable housing. Least of all, let’s not overlook all the promises of Mayor Eric Garcetti to provide more housing for these people.

An additional 10,000-plus lavish apartments is the last thing this city needs.

Jacquie Sampson, Los Angeles

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To the editor: The hubris of building a 55-story residential tower in an earthquake-prone area is exceeded only by the environmental disregard shown by the Fifth and Hill project in planning private swimming pools for several of the units in a drought area.

Please, someone, spare us this absurdity.

Andrew E. Rubin, Marina del Rey

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