LA County psychiatrist describes shortcomings of homeless housing
“‘I live in Venice,’ he said. ‘There are people sleeping in the ally sometimes, and I would much rather have a location somewhere in my neighborhood, where they can go and stay safely. But yet my neighbors don’t always agree with that.’
In the meantime, the city launched a pilot program linking homeless outreach workers and mental health clinicians to 911 in Venice and Hollywood earlier this year, giving dispatch the option to send an unarmed crisis team instead of police to non-violent calls.
Endres said she’s been assaulted and robbed while living on the boardwalk, where authorities recently arrested an alleged arsonist for torching trashcans overnight. She thinks a federal housing voucher is the only way she’ll get off the street for good and is optimistic she’ll get one this year.”