The homeless: a building debate

Re “Cost of homeless project questioned,� May 27

Though concerns about cost are justified, there is data from cities across the country showing that housing chronically homeless people can be cost-effective, saving millions of dollars in public money. As the debate continues on the best way to reduce, prevent and end homelessness in Los Angeles, I sincerely urge building on the successful Project 50.

Nan Roman

Washington

The writer is president of the National Alliance to End Homelessness.

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Let me get this straight -- in about 16 months’ time, from November 2007 until February 2009, the pilot Project 50 for the homeless has managed to get 50 people housing with its $3-million, two-year budget? That works out to about $60,000 per person for 16 months, or $3,750 per person per month.

And Zev Yaroslavsky claims Project 50 “has not cost us practically anything.� I am a teacher working for LAUSD, where starting salaries are about $42,000; I could not afford to spend $3,750 per month on housing for myself.

With thousands of teachers to be fired, maybe I’ll get lucky -- perhaps I’ll be eligible for Project 50 housing. Which way to the Jacuzzi?

Fred Dekom

Sherman Oaks