Los Angeles City to possibly hire homeless individuals to collect trash

Chapman added she thinks programs like Santa Monica’s Homeless Multidisciplinary Street Team, which consist of medical professionals who meet with homeless individuals to evaluate their mental and physical health and refer them to immediate aid, are a better way of helping the city’s homeless population.Evelyn Blumenberg, a professor of urban planning, said the homeless population is diverse and some will not be interested or able to participate in the program. She added the city should consider how the program will run, how much homeless individuals will be paid and which services will be associated with the project.“The program could potentially be beneficial if it provides reasonable pathways to self-sufficiency, opportunities to connect the homeless to other necessary services such as housing, jobs and health care and improved quality of life for the homeless living on the streets,” she said.Abel Valenzuela Jr., a professor of urban planning and chicano/a studies, said he thinks the proposal could lead to the exploitation of homeless individuals if elected officials do not establish proper pay rates or benchmarks of success for homeless employees.However, he added he thinks the proposition could help both the city and the homeless community if the city adequately considers their needs.“I believe accumulated litter, trash and debris is a public health and safety concern that impacts neighborhoods, public spaces and our environment,” he said. “Efforts to mitigate against and to clean it should be taken seriously, including recycling and paying workers who clean fairly.”Buscaino and Blumenfield said in the proposal the Department of Public Works currently has skilled workers responding to daily litter maintenance, and that hiring homeless individuals would allow the workers to work on more complex projects.City staff will present a finalized plan to the city council in the future. (Daily Bruin)