Central City East : Downtown Los Angeles

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It was only fitting today that the Midnight Mission was the place to announce the 10 year plan to end homelessness. This place is symbolic of how differing ideologies can rally around one thing to get that thing done. From a nimby developer to a low income advocacy organization fighting that NIMBY developer and residents such as myself, walking into one room, and making it known, we supported the efforts to move and expand the midnight Mission.

And now we have the same many different ideologies coming together in one room to put forth another plan.


Today at the precious Midnight Mission in Downtown Los Angeles there was a press conference to discuss the 10 year plan that the Bring LA Home Committee has been working on.

Antonio Villaraigosa the mayor had this to Say:

"This is an investment, make no mistake," he said of the recommendations. "We will not be the city with the ignominious distinction of being the homeless capital of America."

Many jokes were passed among the speakers especially the joke about how now the county and city are instead of fighting about who should spend the least amount of money on the issue of homelessness , now the City and County are competing to see who can spend the most.

I have to say that one of the highlights of the press conference was when Jan Perry who had lead the charge to challenge the county board of supervisors to get engaged in the process many years ago said that now the city and the county are working together on the issue and cited how she and Yvonne Braithwaite- Burke have been working to solve these issues together. She mentioned that the biggest shelter now that was built was so nice you couldn't recognize it as being a shelter.


Chief BAca got up next, and, well... had to correct Jan Perry in stating that the largest shelter in the county is the Central Jail. I have to hand it to the Chief, I opine he is not afraid to say the truth even if it is not politically correct or it might offend someone else. I admire people like him because he says the truth. Yes men only make things worse and Chief Baca is not a yes man.









Bill Rosendahl had much to say. Sorry Mayor of Santa Monica, but I couldn't follow you , you were so monotone that you were boring. So I will move on to Bill. Hey BIll said he was proud to be a Vietnam Veteran and that he was proud that 600 units of housing will be going in his district for veterans. Bill Rosendahl got a big cheer out of me and others in attendance in the room.

I am so proud of the many people who worked on the 10 year plan and of course our blogging friend Joel Roberts from PATH, who keeps us informed about these issues at LA's HOmeless Blog.

Philip Mangano showed up to the press conference and he was infused with hope. Mayor


Villaraigosa though takes the prize for a motivating speech.

Here is a man who understands the laws of the universe. Here is a man who was not afraid to squat down on a street in the middle of skid row, without the cameras watching , .to wash the feet of a homeless woman and want to do the job right. This man knows that if he is going to help the people and get the support for them he needs , then he must have a connection with the Universe.

I am very honored to have Antonio Villaraigosa be our Mayor. He made it clear today that this is not skid row : this is Central City East. He said he will not call it skid row anymore but Central City East. That is respect.

We love you Mayor Villaraigosa and I can say that for lot's of my neighbors , because we truly do say it on the streets of Central City East.

>>Something I forgot to mention- Antonio did give credit also to our state legislators Fabian NUnez , Gil Cedillo , and Steinberg.

This is what I love about Antonio he likes to give credit where credit is due.