AIDS Healthcare Foundation to convert Los Angeles hotel into $400/m rental for homeless

This seems like a good idea. I hope the facility has equipped staff as well. But in the time it takes to renovate it, etc, 1,000 more people will be added to the homeless population.

Money laundering operation?

This is a good idea. Hope it catches on in other states and cities across the country.

AHF must be flush with cash. Great if it works, though.

I think a safe, single room is just what certain people need to provide some shelter while they reintegrate themselves into society.

What's Weinstein's angle?

On the second night after his church opened its parking lot to people living out of their cars, vans and other vehicles, Glenn Nishibayashi noticed a mother and daughter using one of the spaces.

He was interested in knowing how the previous evening worked out for them, and went over to inquire.

“This was the first good night’s sleep I’ve had in weeks,” the woman told him.

She explained that she was more accustomed to fitful nights parked on the street, staying half-awake so she could be alert to potentially being approached by strangers or rousted by police officers.

Members of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church were initially concerned about the possible risks of opening up their parking lot to down-and-out strangers. But talking to the mother and daughter reassured Nishibayashi that their congregation had made the right decision to give the program a try.

“This is exactly what this program is for,” said the 61-year-old Nishibayashi, whose grandparents helped found the historically Japanese American church located in what is now Los Angeles’ Koreatown.

“It gets rid of that worry, so you can function so much better,” he said. “This told me we were doing exactly the right thing.”

Brilliant idea. Well done

I hope this works. But pardon my skepticism.

People who ought to be living in psychiatric facilities won’t find it suitable. But those who are able and in reasonable good mental health, considering they are homeless, may find it useful while they build up savings.

I mean, even AIR BNBs are expensive.

Isn't even $400 a month a bit much if you're homeless? I mean they spend at least that much a month on meth.

A year or two down the line and the place will look like a shithole, especially if many of the tenants are mentally disturbed, especially if the tenants include children, and either be abandoned by AHF or shut down by the City as a health and safety hazard.

I'm assuming that once the renovations are completed, we can expect a "Tasteful Friends" posting here.

Wonderful! I hope it's a solution that spreads. I'm going to contribute something to them right now.

Will they have a business center? Offer a pillow menu?

This is excellent! At those rates, maybe even Scott Pruitt can afford one.

Those people are just going to crap all over the hallways and spread hepatitis.

"AHF must be flush with cash."

Maybe Jim Nabors left them his fortune?

The problem is that most homeless people can't come up with money to pay the rent even if it's only $400.00/mo.

That may be true, R19, but after working with this population what I found was that many were elderly or disabled, unable to find jobs and below the income level necessary to rent in higher income areas. Many city rents are outrageous since the decline of rent control. This low rent is affordable for them because SS retirement and SSD will cover it for most of them, with a little left over. One lady I know makes only 600.00 a month with SS, but she could live there and still afford to eat if she's careful.

Is Joey Lawrence listening?

R12, I’m afraid you are right. And a portion of the homeless population are homeless because they can’t/don’t want to follow the rules and honor agreements. NOT ALL. It would be interesting to see how they handle people who don’t.

But I hope it can help some.

In my neighborhood (UES), there are a few small shelters. Aside from residents who loiter and smoke at the entrance, they don’t seem to cause any problems. I don’t think a shelter as large as this one can keep a handle on the residents very well. I don’t know much about it, though.

R23, that's just the point. It's not a shelter but a home for those who can afford it. It's intent is to take those made homeless by high rents off the streets and give them some dignity back.

Agree with r24, it is for the “genteel” poor, one assumes, maybe people who lost their homes and car to the banks, or the elderly, and who may or may not be working but who need a bed and a shower in relative safety.

Not for poor undiagnosed schizophrenics and drug addicts.

R25, yes, there are a lot of people with those issues on the streets and they need help, too. We're trying.

This sounds good. I'm tired of paying thousands of dollars a month off Craigslist. All I need is a room and no roommate.

What are the hours for the spa and the gym?

THERE IS ZERO new about this. Large cities used to be filled with SROs. Then the greed and gentrification shuttered them all.

There's a place like this in my city. It's for people with HIV and other conditions, usu substance abuse and/or mental illness. The place is nice, rent is based on a percentage of income, all studios about 500 sq ft.

There are lots of rules. There is a security desk. You don't get in even as a visitor without showing photo ID and signing in and having your photo taken. Bags and pockets can be searched at the discretion of the security staff.

Residents are required to spend a certain number of hours a week in some sort of constructive activity, which can include education, substance abuse or mental health treatment, volunteering, etc.

Substance abuse is not tolerated and you will be evicted if you create a disturbance while high or drunk, or if you are caught with drugs on premises, or arrested for drug possession, or if you threaten or attempt to harm staff or residents, or if you carelessly damage your apartment.

Every unit is checked monthly without prior notice for hoarding (not permitted) and signs of illegal activity, and to ensure the place isn't being trashed.

IMO people who can't abide by this structure should be in institutions anyway. But there aren't any.

Will be smelly and full of sexual assaults.

Why is a Japanese woman homeless? Never seen that before.

Except that people SHOULD be able to do their drugs quietly in their private space. People might be using pot for pain or what not. I can see either argument but a junky has a right to dry warm safe place to lock the door and sleep and feel safe.

AHF failed after spending millions to alienate Truvada users.

Now they want to be slumlords? Money-laundering with no laundry.

It'll be infested with bedbugs and hotplate fries. They'll take a huge tax loss/creit.

AHF are bloated scum.

R33 paints the world with his gnarly brush using his own shit.

Do they have any efficiencies available?

R34 paints his world with the anal fissure pus of Michael Weinstein.

R30, that sounds ideal. Especially the activity.

They should take the Rosslyn, the Alexandria and Cecil in DT Los Angeles (not quite low income, $800 a month, no “rules”.. ) and turn them into that kind of residence. As it is, I’m pretty sure these buildings are just crack dens.

Even though the Cecil will probably become another hotel, just what we don’t need more of.

Are there homeless populations in the Valley?

good idea? Not! At night it's gonna be crazier than a fuckin jail.

[quote]L.A.'s efforts to solve homelessness are paying off, one life at a time

This is a good idea...although many schizophrenics should be in a hospital, to keep the rest of us safe.

$400.00/month? I can easily afford that!

They need to implement areas that function as offices, where these people can be assisted in finding jobs, getting clean, appropriate clothing for interviews, services where they can connect to local schools, and get their kids back in class, etc.

Unfortunately, we all know that this will not be an appropriate solution for the homeless who are mentally ill, and/or addicted to alcohol or substances. This will only work for people who found themselves displaced through a series of unfortunate events, yet still have the wherewithal to reintegrate into society as productive members of that society.

It will also work for those who are on SSI, however, are not severely mentally ill or addicted.

Many of these folks need access to long rehabilitation periods. They need to be housed in places that are set up to specifically target those issues. They are not well enough for this type of set up.

Do they allow pieds-à-terre?

How much fucking will be going on?

I managed an old hotel for about 2 years and most of the tenants rent was paid by Catholic Charities. It was a dump,but it was a roof over their heads. All told there were 75 rooms over 4 floors,and I rarely had any trouble. I would let each and everyone know right when they checked in that I would throw their asses out for causing trouble,not paying rent,dealing drugs etc,and 95% of them took me at my word.The hookers I sorta turned a blind eye to unless they caused trouble.Most of the working girls I dealt with were fairly business like and rather efficient! I will say my time there opened my eyes up to a world I never dreamed existed,to this day I give thanks that I will never have to live like that.

Does it have valet parking?

There is a plan for AHF to build something similar in Fort Lauderdale.

Link

R22

Troublemakers will get kicked out... eventually, which is part of the problem with homelessness accommodations -- homeless people who can't or won't play nice with others will ultimately be on the street forever. Without the option of institutionalizing the worst cases, homelessness will never be solved in this country.

Well, this should work out well for them.

[quote]bedbugs and hotplate fries

Mmmmmm. Hotplate fries.

In NYC, by contrast, the old SROs have been turned into $400 a night hotel rooms.

..and this is my daughter SRO (Sorrow).

[quote]as low as $400 per month

That means ONE apt will rent out for that low and the rest will be high priced.

Homelessness is not about giving someone a place to live.

Homelessness is about being in such a situation where you have no one to take you in.

That is brought about 99% of the time, from being a horrible person who burned all their bridge and no one wants anything more to do with you.

You give a bunch of homeless people a place to live and it's ruined within a few weeks.

Controversial Venice Homeless Shelter Closer to Becoming Reality

The whole thing is a collosial joke.

While I like this idea, when it comes to AHF I'm always skeptical. What's Michael Weinstein's angle? I assume he found a government program that will give him a ton of money so he can buy himself a private jet or 3.

What does this have to do with its core mission of AIDS support?

The best way to end homelessness is - to give people homes. Many people wind up on the street because they’re crazy, but living on the street will make a sane person unbalanced. A roof over your head, a lock on your door, a bathroom of your own will go far towards helping you deal with other issues. Though I do believe people ought to be able to quietly smoke, sniff, or shoot up in private as long as they don’t disturb the general peace. So much nanny-ing of the poor.

When will these be ready for a "Tasteful Friends" thread?

"A year or two down the line and the place will look like a shithole, especially if many of the tenants are mentally disturbed, especially if the tenants include children, and either be abandoned by AHF or shut down by the City as a health and safety hazard."

True. Homeless people tend to be filthy.

"The best way to end homelessness is - to give people homes. "

"GIVE" them homes? What makes you think they deserve to be "given" a home? What horseshit.

""Provide." "Make available." And yes, in some cases, r64, "give". No one "deserves" to live on the street, no matter how addlepated they are or how many mistakes they've made. My taxes go towards many things I don't support, but this is something I would gladly fund.