The bond would triple the city’s annual output of permanent supportive housing, which includes counseling, substance abuse treatment and other services, for its 28,000 homeless people. “Being homeless takes you away from being human,” Silvia Hernandez, a formerly homeless skid row resident who now lives in permanent supportive housing, said at the campaign launch. Critics also say housing alone won’t solve the city’s homelessness crisis without accompanying services, which the bond money legally cannot cover. The city has tentatively designated 12 surplus properties to sell or develop for homeless housing. Santana said those plans can continue with or without the bond money because the land is free, bringing the cost per unit down substantially.

Source: Los Angeles Times September 12, 2016 22:52 UTC