Some of the new residents found it hard to accept that they had been given housing and others had not. Guilt could trigger old behaviors.
The homeless crisis is rewriting the history of Los Angeles. Can the city meet the challenge?
At 2 p.m., Big Mama and Top Shelf met with property management and opened their “Welcome Home” packets.In the courtyard, they gazed up at their new apartment building. The building manager had made the rules clear: No smoking. No visitors for longer than 14 days. No drugs, including marijuana . Violations led to warnings, and three warnings could lead to eviction.Top Shelf, left, drops by Big Mama's new apartment, where they joke with each other.To make apartment living easier for Big Mama and her neighbors, the People Concern and another private agency, LifeSTEPS, were on site to provide counseling and other services.
A visit could turn into an overnight, then a few days, then a few weeks, and weeks would lead to eviction. Visitors had nothing to lose by behaving badly. In their jealousy and envy, they didn’t care about lease agreements. Nor did they care that they were being watched to see if rules were being broken.
And if residents found a job and their income increased, they would have to pay more for their apartment. As a result, some held off finding work — or, if they landed something, made sure they were paid under the table. Stumbling over the folds of nylon, she grabbed a corner and dragged the flattened mess to a nearby dumpster. Then her mood lightened. She waved to a woman who ran a mini-mart across the street.“I love my apartment,” Big Mama said. “It’s cool, beautiful and quiet. It’s quiet as hell over there.”
In her apartment, the air conditioning was blowing. She popped a Miller, cued up some music and started cooking dinner. Outreach workers had identified him as among the most vulnerable in the encampment. He needed help but would not be eligible for a unit in the new apartment buildings. He needed to be away from minors.
She liked her new home: the air conditioning, being able to shower, sleeping at night. “Being inside,” she said, “is more wonderful than being outside.”On a summer morning, she sat with her boyfriend on the couch. The blinds were pulled, giving the room a feeling of perpetual twilight. Two of her friends were there too. Niecy was aware of the rule that guests had to leave after 14 days, but she didn’t seem too concerned.
According to a report prepared by her social worker with the Department of Children and Family Services, Niecy had been cited for failing to protect the children in an abusive household, and the department rules that Niecy’s “substance abuse endangers the children’s physical safety.”“I miss having my babies around me,” she said.
Three weeks had passed since the last tenant moved in, and the meeting was the first for everyone to gather and speak their minds. Vollbrecht had led these conversations at other buildings, and she knew the best strategy was just to listen.it varies for everyone. It depends upon individuals’ experiences on the streets and in life. Maybe they didn’t know what being a good neighbor meant. Maybe they never saw someone maintain a home.
Indonesia Berita Terbaru, Indonesia Berita utama
Similar News:Anda juga dapat membaca berita serupa dengan ini yang kami kumpulkan dari sumber berita lain.
Broadway Place’s homeless residents were promised homes. Had the city forgotten them?Big Mama and her friends were promised new apartments, but the homeless initiative stalled. Months later, a few residents received new apartments, but Big Mama and others were left behind.
Baca lebih lajut »
After 9 years on L.A.’s streets, Big Mama needed a home. But it wasn't that easyBig Mama and her neighbors live in a homeless encampment in Los Angeles. Through a special housing initiative they’ll soon have the opportunity to move into apartments.
Baca lebih lajut »
Everyone Thinks Tyler Cameron And Andi Dorfman Are Dating—But They're NotThere's a totally innocent reason they were leaving Andi's apartment together.
Baca lebih lajut »
People Are Sharing The Parts Of Their Personalities That Are Secretly Fake And It's Very RelatablePeople Are Sharing The Ways They're Totally Fake And It's Uncomfortably Real
Baca lebih lajut »
US home construction fell 4% in JulyU.S. housing starts fell 4.0% in July, driven by a decline in the construction of apartment buildings.
Baca lebih lajut »
Kylie Jenner's Birthday Celebrations Still Going Strong in FranceThe Keeping Up With the Kardashian star turned 22 this past weekend and has been celebrating with her family and friends for the past week during a lavish trip to Europe.
Baca lebih lajut »