Los Angeles moves to open some public buildings for homeless shelter

[Little Tich]

Source: Yahoo! News / Reuters

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Public buildings in Los Angeles would be used to shelter the homeless under a plan that won preliminary approval by the City Council on Tuesday after officials raised the alarm over the growing number of people living on the streets.

The buildings, which could include vacant municipal structures or park facilities, would be selected by council members in consultation with residents, said David Graham-Caso, a spokesman for Councilman Mike Bonin, a sponsor of the measure.

The country's second most populous city would also allow people living in their cars to stay overnight in designated parking lots, although only a handful of vehicles per lot would be permitted, Graham-Caso said.

City Council voted unanimously to give initial approval to the plan, which is expected to come back for a final vote within two weeks, Graham-Caso said.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/los-angeles-moves-open-public-buildings-homeless-shelter-012018681.html

[mahannah]

1. Good idea. Maybe churches could do the same.

[Oldtimeralso]

4. My Church Does.

It is part of a coalition of seven area churches that each open a shelter for one night a week. The church and volunteers will provide a hot dinner, a place to shower, a continental type breakfast with cereal and fruit in the morning. The attendees then leave for the day with a sandwich, a piece of fruit and a bottle of water to get them through the day.

[SusanCalvin]

2. This makes me smile, but then

I consider the problem it addresses. Still, it's progress.

[merrily]

3. Thank goodness someone is doing something. It's so heartbreaking.

[reddread]

5. maybe civilization isnt dead

decent churches do as much as they can.
the need is great.