Task Force on the Homeless

Your editorial (March 25) on the Los Angeles County-City task force on the homeless omitted the following points:

First, the homeless problem has many different causes. While the majority are those who suffer from mental illness or drug and alcohol abuse, others include illegal immigrants and the economically destitute. The solution must involve a cooperative effort including the county, its 84 cities, the state and federal governments, private businesses, and religious and community groups.

Second, Mayor Tom Bradley agreed to support county efforts to change the Lanterman-Petris-Short Act to provide a 24-hour care for those mentally ill individuals who require it. This group makes up the largest segment of the homeless population.

Third, another factor contributing to the Los Angeles City homeless problem was the destruction of 7,310 low- and moderate-income housing units by the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) as part of the Bunker Hill Urban Renewal Project. The CRA has now agreed to sit down with the county chief administrative officer to discuss funding for homeless programs.

Fourth, the Board of Supervisors has not dragged its feet in caring for the homeless. In January of 1985 the board unanimously approved my motion instructing the chief administrative officer to coordinate all of our homeless efforts throughout the county. Despite severe budget pressures, we are spending $184 million annually to resolve this problem.

Fifth, no one has ever been denied emergency shelter by Los Angeles County. On the contrary, we have between 100 and 200 unused voucher beds each night. We also have an outreach program that encourages homeless people to take advantage of county services. The problem is that many homeless are mentally ill and will not go to a shelter.

Assemblyman William J. Filante (R-Greenbrae) has introduced legislation, AB 1877, to resolve this problem, and I urge your readers to write their local Assembly representatives, state senators, and Gov. George Deukmejian to support this bill.

MICHAEL D. ANTONOVICH

Supervisor, Fifth District

Los Angeles County