Local News in Brief : Homeless Law Backed

Industrialist Armand Hammer and Archbishop Roger Mahony have given their support to a state ballot initiative on homelessness and encouraged the business community to get involved in the issue.

A group of civic, business and religious leaders called Californians Working Together to End Hunger and Homelessness spearheaded the drive for the Hunger and Homeless Initiative, which proposes raising millions of dollars through fines for health, safety and building violations. Mahony and Hammer were honored at St. Vincent’s Men’s Center in Los Angeles as honorary co-chairmen of the group.

“Outside our elegant restaurants, thousands daily look through trash cans just to find something to eat. In the shadows of cities, men, women and children sleep on benches or in cars, even in caves,” Mahony said.