Readers React: The homeless need housing, not more outreach

To the editor: To spend more on outreach when housing subsidies are scarce and housing units have enormous waiting lists for those homeless already outreached to is putting the cart before the horse. (“L.A. city, county will expand homeless outreach on skid row,” Aug. 11)

Outreach cannot solve homelessness without immediate housing opportunities. Until we are willing to spend the money necessary to create the housing at a scale that meets the need, increased outreach simply reinforces the hopelessness and distrust that so many of the homeless experience.

It is time to fund the thousands of new rental subsidies and supportive services needed and create real financial incentives for landlords with existing units to accept tenants who are homeless and waiting.

John Ladner, Los Angeles

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