May 03, 2018

City News Service 

 

A proposal to spend $20 million on temporary shelters for the homeless throughout Los Angeles has its first potential location, Mayor Eric Garcetti announced today.

 

Garcetti joined Council President Herb Wesson at 682 S. Vermont Ave. in Koreatown, which they said will be the site of the first in a network of projects to add trailers, tents, showers, restrooms, storage facilities and other resources in the fight against homelessness.

 

“The homelessness crisis demands that we step forward and act boldly to get people off the streets as quickly as possible,” Garcetti said.

 

“Council President Wesson’s leadership means that men and women living on the streets today will soon be able to take tents down and start building themselves up.”

 

Garcetti outlined his plan to install the shelters and other resources around the city during his State of the City address last month. The $20 million for the “A Bridge Home”' initiative is included in his proposed 2018-19 budget.

 

The Koreatown shelter would be located in a parking lot in Wesson’s district.

 

“These shelters will serve as beacons of hope for Angelenos looking to transition out of homelessness,” Wesson said. “When it comes to ending this crisis, actions speak louder than words.”

 

The Bridge Home initiative is part of a large spike in Garcetti’s proposed spending for the homeless, up from $178 million in the current fiscal year to more than $429 million. More than half of the new homeless spending would use funds from Measure HHH, a bond measure that Garcetti helped convince city voters to approve in 2016 and which is expected to raise $1.2 billion over 10 years for permanent supportive housing construction.

 

Garcetti’s proposal would split the $20 million up evenly per district, to $1.3 million each, but if any funds were unallocated by Jan. 1, 2019, any City Council member could use them for his or her district. Coupled with the money for emergency shelters is $17 million in additional funding for crews that clean up homeless encampments, and any district that welcomed an emergency shelter would see increased levels of encampment cleanup efforts, Garcetti said.

 

The temporary shelters would have a shelf life of about three years, which Garcetti has said should be enough time for the city to construct enough supportive housing funded by Measure HHH. The city saw a rise in homelessness last year by 20 percent, or about 34,000 people.

 

Before his State of the City speech, Garcetti had not previously called for the installation of emergency shelters on a wide scale. And even though it represents a significant new approach for the mayor and other city leaders, some have said $20 million is not enough.

 

Councilman Jose Huizar, who represents the Skid Row area where an estimated 2,000 people sleep on the streets, has called for enough emergency trailers to be installed in the neighborhood to meet the need for the areas entire Skid Row population. He estimates that trailers just for Skid Row will cost $20 million, and told the Budget and Finance Committee on Tuesday that more funding is needed.

 

“We need to see if we can have more funding for this so that we do it throughout the city where it’s necessary, but at the same time focus on the epicenter of Skid Row where we continue to say that those are some inhumane conditions that we shall not allow,” Huizar said.

 

The idea to use temporary trailers or tents to help get people off the streets has been led on the council by Huizar, who convinced his colleagues earlier this year to approve the installation of five trailers near the El Pueblo Historical Monument. 

Category: Community

May 03, 2018 

City News Service

 

The average price of a gallon of self-serve regular gasoline in Los Angeles County rose four-tenths of a cent today to $3.67, its highest amount since Aug. 25, 2015.

 

The average price is 2.4 cents more than one week ago, 9.8 cents higher than one month ago and 65.2 cents greater than one year ago, according to figures from the AAA and Oil Price Information Service. It has risen 52 cents since the start of the year.

 

The average price rose 18 times in 19 days, was unchanged Monday and resumed increasing on Tuesday.

 

The Orange County average price rose one-tenth of a cent Wednesday to $3.628, its highest amount since Aug. 24, 2015.

 

The Orange County average price has increased 21 of the past 22 days, rising 9 cents, including two-tenths of a cent on both Monday and Tuesday.

 

The Orange County average price is 2.1 cents more than one week ago, 9.9 cents higher than one month ago and 62.2 cents greater than one year ago.

 

It has risen 51.2 cents since the start of the year.

 

 

 

 

 

Category: Community

May 03, 2018 

By Niele Anderson 

Contributing Writer 

 

On Friday April 27, Hannah Bell was waiting in line to get a meal with her mother at Best Burgers on the corner of Western and 78th when a suspect with a hoodie walked up behind them and shot Bell. She died soon after she was taken to the hospital.

 

A prayer vigil was held on Sunday where Bell’s mom Samatha Mays, expressed, “I used to practice with them, if somebody shoots, to get down, but I never thought somebody would be so bold to just walk up and shoot randomly,” Mays said. She then tugged on her shirt, which had Hannah's face on it, saying, “She will forever be remembered as my angel on my shirt. This is how I see her, my beautiful baby.”

 

A press conference was held at the murder location on Monday where community leaders came to address the senseless killing.  “We know somebody [saw] who committed this crime and were asking those people to call in,” stated Lawanda Hawkins of Justice for Murdered Children. “People who stand up in our communities are heroes. You are a hero when you stand up in your community. We cannot let people commit this crime and think its ok. We run our community and we have to demand they be arrested, charged and convicted.”

 

Khalid Shaw of Stop the Violence Increase the Peace Foundation stated, “enough is enough,” and gave his condolences to the family. Brother Shaw then pledged $500 to the family and asked the community to do the same. A GoFundMe page has been set up in Bell’s name which reads, “Hannah Bell, born March 19, 2003--life was taken away from us on Monday, April 27, 2018. On this particular night, she mentioned to her mother Samantha Mays that she was hungry, so they walk to their corner burger stand for a bite to eat. While waiting for their order, a young man approached her to gun her down. She was a light to the family with a promising future leaving behind four siblings, unfortunately by the hands of a coward, her life was taken. Our family was not prepared we ask that you keep our family in prayer, pray for others affected by gun violence in our community. Thanks in advance.”

 

Police don’t believe Bell had any gang connections and are trying to discover whether or not she was the intended target. The shooting is under investigation, and no suspects have been named or arrested. Los Angeles Councilmember Mar­queece Harris-Dawson,has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. If you have any information call (877) LAPD-247.

Category: Community

April 19, 2018 

By Kimberlee Buck 

Contributing Writer 

 

Are you a South Los Angeles resident looking to earn extra income? Find out what it takes to share your space and grow your wallet by becoming an Airbnb host! The history of South L.A. is rich and ever growing. Not only is the city home of the largest street festival in Los Angeles, the Taste of Soul Family Festival, it is also central to some of the best beaches, museums, Black-owned eateries, businesses, and all things L.A! As a result, tourists and visitors keep coming back for more.

 

To help showcase the beauty of the Crenshaw area, and its surrounding cities along with all the unique things it has to offer, Airbnb has partnered with the Los Angeles Sentinel and Taste of Soul to host a community reception. The event will show residents the benefits becoming Airbnb hosts and the impact it has on the lives of people.

 

“Home sharing brings travelers to neighborhoods that don’t typically benefit from tourism and helps to highlight LA’s unique and diverse communities,” said Southern California Policy Manager for Airbnb, John Choi.

 

“We are excited to partner with the Los Angeles Sentinel to help more Angelenos learn how to use what is often their greatest expense, the cost of their housing, to earn extra income.”

 

The reception will be held on Thursday, April 26, from 5:30 – 8:00PM at the Museum of African Art located on the 3rd floor of Macy’s in the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza. Attendees will have the opportunity to speak and hear from local Airbnb hosts about their experiences in dealing with guests from around the world. Also, Airbnb staff will be in attendance to discuss the practical tools you need to become a host. Attendees will also get tips on how to secure payments and creating a listing profile for guests.

 

Earning Extra income 

 

Prior to becoming an Airbnb hosts, many Los Angeles residents were facing eviction or foreclosure in 2017. However, after becoming Airbnb hosts, 6,000 residents reported that they were able to afford staying in the city. According to Airbnb, the average hosts in L.A. earns $9,100 a year from hosting.

 

Airbnb is also doing their part to help local businesses.

 

“In 2017, the Airbnb community generated more than $1.4 billion in economic impact city of Los Angeles. This is significant income for the city, and it is being spread to local businesses and across many parts of the city that don’t typically see as much tourism activity,” said Choi.

 

 “Airbnb guests are a new source of customers for small business at a time when brick and mortar stores are facing growing competition from online retailers. [In fact,] 94 percent of Airbnb hosts recommend local small businesses to their guests.”

 

 Don’t miss out on your opportunity to participate! For more information or to RSVP for the event visit www.lasentinel.net/airbnb or call (323) 299-3800.

Category: Community

Page 1270 of 1617