‘Shelter Imperative’

Your editorial is right on target. Councilwoman Gloria Molina, who served on the Blue Ribbon Committee on Affordable Housing, did an excellent job in helping enact most of the the legislation to implement the recommendations contained in the report. There are two remaining components that are absolutely necessary to make a dent in the homeless problem.

First, is the formation of a housing commission, and Molina is the guiding light in this endeavor.

Second, and equally necessary, is the formation of a public/private partnership for affordable housing, giving the private sector an opportunity to help solve this problem.

Boston, Chicago, and New York have made giant steps forward by adding thousands of new affordable units in the past few years by the use of this vehicle. Each of these organizations was headed by a prominent local businessman.

It is imperative that Mayor Tom Bradley and the City Council give this matter immediate attention.

SYDNEY M. IRMAS

Chairman, Los Angeles

Committee on Affordable Housing