Homeless Aid

When I pay my county tax bill I am always pleased that my money is being used to provide services to the citizenry of Los Angeles: unified schools, flood control, mosquito abatement. There is no mention of the fact that my tax dollars are being used to pay Parker, Millican, Clark, O’Hara & Samuelian fancy fees to deny the homeless the $312 per month benefits due them (“Fight Boosts Cost of Homelessness; County Puts on Tenacious, Expensive Defense of Welfare Policy,” Metro, Sept. 24). Another recent article in The Times reported that lawyers’ fees could be as high as $450 per hour (Part I, Sept. 18).

Compare these fees with the benefits for the homeless ($400 plus per hour versus $312 per month) and most people would think this is a travesty of justice being perpetrated by our Board of Supervisors.

I would be willing to pay higher taxes so that the national disgrace of homelessness, hunger and lack of adequate health services could be ameliorated. I object to giving one penny to Parker, Millican to represent me against the victims of our neglect.

Thank goodness for the Legal Aid Foundation and lawyers like Gary Blasi and Alan Bersin.

JUNE SOLNIT SALE

Los Angeles