Cuts and Homeless

* With Los Angeles County planning to cut welfare payments to single adults by nearly one-third, there’s no question more people could find themselves homeless (“Cuts May Double Homelessness, Experts Say,” Aug. 16). Some people may wonder how anyone could survive on $212 per month without dealing drugs, panhandling, prostituting or stealing.

That’s why now more than ever it’s important the public know the best way to help the homeless. It’s not by giving money to the panhandler or tolerating encampments. Those responses merely enable the homeless to remain homeless.

Instead, the most effective way to help a homeless person get off the streets and back into society is through intensive rehabilitation that includes job training, education and counseling for drug and alcohol addictions. The public can help most by supporting missions and other agencies that specialize in helping the homeless rebuild their lives.

MARK HOLSINGER

Executive Director

Los Angeles Mission