Cities across the country are dealing with huge increases in homelessness, but Los Angeles’s problem dwarfs that of other places.
The city is reportedly building a new tower to house homeless people on the notorious “skid row,” which will feature one-bedroom and studio apartments, a gym, cafes, art studios and more.
While the city should be congratulated for trying to address homelessness, one has to wonder if this is truly the best approach.
Homeless Los Angeles Skid Row residents will move into sleek new towers with gyms, cafes and art studios https://t.co/2Vx5kJPrPY pic.twitter.com/6r6iGtNMjN
—Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) June 5, 2024
The Daily Mail reports:
Homeless Los Angeles Skid Row residents to move into sleek new towers with gyms, cafes and art studios
A multi-story tower built on Skid Row in Los Angeles to house the homeless is now available for rent.
Weingart Towers is a 278-unit, self-contained residential building with a gym, soundproof music room, TV lounge, café and art studio.
This month, the sprawling building will become a “self-contained environment” that will house city residents living on the streets.
New residents will be able to enjoy stylish amenities, as well as fully equipped refurbished kitchens and wall-mounted TVs in the apartments.
Funded entirely with public funds, the building will also provide on-site case management and physical and mental health services designed to help new residents get their lives back on track.
The building has 278 units, 40 of which are also reserved for veteran families.
Some are skeptical of the plan.
Why are we incentivizing the homeless in California without requiring them to receive mental health treatment and/or detox? This makes as much sense as providing free unlimited health care to illegal immigrants. https://t.co/CfYe67h3LY
— Bill Assery (@billessayli) June 8, 2024
California is $279 billion in debt, but that doesn’t matter. https://t.co/kYKZ64lcLq
— Pensive Person 2 (@penseperson2) June 8, 2024
I would become homeless for a gym membership. https://t.co/hrjF6y80sg
— Kira (@RealKiraDavis) June 8, 2024
It will be interesting to see if the city can keep up with maintaining the properties.
