City Council Passes DWP Rate Hike

According to the LA TIMES , the City Council of the City of Los Angeles has raised electricity rates.  Estela Lopez of the Central City East Association , who has members in the Industrial and Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles , expressed concern on behalf of those 1800 business and property owners.

New Genesis Hotel Breaks Ground

On main Street, in the heart of the Historic Core of Downtown Los Angeles, Skid Row Housing Trust broke Ground on it's redone Genesis Hotel.  More news at LADOWNTOWNNEWS.com

It is one of the first hotels that will include loft style apartments and not just house those with special needs. Dignitaries were present and more news to come from the Downtown News.

Easter Celebrations coming to Skid Row

Easter Celebrations will be coming to skid row soon!! The list, of course, is long and culminates with the big party at the Midnight Mission. Celebrations and street feedings and giveaways are done by all Missions in Skid Row Leading up to Easter .

Good Friday will see the beginning of the Long weekend Celebration in skid row.

The Union Rescue Mission will also be doing a feeding, but so far there are no updates, once the update is made this blog will see an update.

The Fred Jordan Mission also hosts a Easter Celebration, their celebration will be on Saturday April 3.


Los Angeles Mission
The LA Mission will conduct it's feeding on good Friday There will be a shoe giveaway as well as feet washing . It is a lot of fun and there is good food as well as many celebrities.



 The Midnight Mission is the culmination of all of this as Easter Sunday and Passover are celebrated with music , food , and fun. Easter Sunday is a comin..WOOOOHOOOO!!!
From www.midnightmission.org

On Sunday, April 4th our staff, participants, and 200 volunteers come together to create a special brunch and celebration for about 2,000 of our closest friends... this year will be no exception!
We clear the street in front of our facility, set tables and chairs for our 2,000+ guests, most of who happen to be suffering from the condition of homelessness. We have an Easter Village for children, clothing giveaway and live entertainment.
For more information about the event or for sponsorship opportunities please contact, Mai Lee Community Relations Manager 213-624-4588. Volunteer opportunities, send an email to volunteer@midnightmission.org.

General Jeff Speaks before Community Redevelopment Agency of the City of Los Angeles

General Jeff Raises Concerns over the Purchase of the Rossylyn Hotel by Single Room Occupancy Housing Corporation at the CRA Commissioners Meeting  


General Jeff Speaks at CRA March 18
Uploaded by dgarzila. - Watch the latest news videos.

Downtown Los Angeles Brooks Brothers - Closing doors

Brooks Brothers, in Downtown Los Angeles, is closing it's doors. According to the Los Angeles Times, Brooks Brothers in Downtown Los Angeles , via Downtown News , will be closing it's doors for good in the city center. There will be no closeout sale. Many hip hop clothiers have been drawn to Downtown as of late and unfortunately high end suits seem not to be the product of choice. Many enjoy buying their suits in the Garment District on Los Angeles Street from 7th to 11th street.

Ah... Another high end store closing in Downtown Los Angeles.

New Genesis Breaks ground on March 30th - New Hotel to begin new mixed use evolution in Project Based Section 8 Housing

The New Genesis Hotel will break ground on March 30th. Those in Attendance will be Jan Perry , the Federation of Labor Representative , and Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council President Russell Brown.

According to Skid Row Housing Trust there will be ground floor retail and new jobs will be created. The first turn of the soil marks the birth of the next evolution in the Trust's solution to homelessness. The New Genesis Apartments will combine permanent supportive housing for homeless and disabled men and women with commercial space for community retail. The New Genesis Hotel is located on 5th Street and Main Street.

One of the attributes of Skid Row Housing Trust is their focus on creating huge spaces in their buildings to accommodate the social services. Skid Row Housing trust has made it clear that they intend to be good neighbors in the Historic Core as well as make sure that the ground spaces accommodate retail space.

Winter Shelters Closing , Union Rescue Mission Barbecues Steaks for their last Meal at Shelters

On March 2nd, homeless folks at  one of the armories that was a part of the Winter Shelter Program in Los Angeles County saw their last meal in the form of a Steak Dinner because that winter shelter was closing. Today , Andy Bales, and his URM Crew barbecued steaks on the roof of Union Rescue Mission for those at other Winter shelters that will see their doors close.

Below is an excerpt from Andy's Blog detailing what is happening with the Winter Shelters and a video  I took today of Andy Bales and his crew barbecuing on the roof of the Union Rescue Mission... What people fail to realize is that between the 15th and the 7th of the next month , middle of the month and the first week of the month, 0ver 1500 souls in skid row from the various social service housing providers utilize the free breakfast , lunch , and dinners , as well as those 1500 who find themselves in the various missions , provided by the various Missions in skid row, and those others who do sleep on the streets. What is desperately needed at this time , besides donations of money, are vegetables and fruits. These Missions do not just provide food for the skid row residents , but do reach out to the  whole Los Angeles community  Let's end homelessness by providing healthy food options for all Angelinos and those that may find themselves  utilizing these shelters and Missions in these tough economic times.

From Andy's Blog, CEO of Union Rescue Mission:

Why in the world would we close down this vital safety net? How can we send folks out to the streets who want to stay in a place that provides a roof over their heads and a connection with case management and vital services?  The Governor of California, during these extraordinary times, could declare a state of emergency, keep the armories open, and our city and county could team up with us and the other agencies running shelters to make sure that these 1600 beds stay open, and that our friends experiencing homelessness could be provided with a shelter long enough to get back on their feet.  It could cost as little as $1,000,000 per shelter to operate them at capacity(150-200 persons each night) for 1 year.   

For the sake of these precious souls, would you consider contacting the :

Governor: Click here for email form.

LAHSA: Click here for email form.

County officials: Click here for contact list.

City officals: Click here for email form.

Thank you!

 Andy B.