Sheltering L.A. County's homeless could save taxpayer money, study finds

[The Straight Story]

Sheltering L.A. County's homeless could save taxpayer money, study finds

Finding permanent housing for Los Angeles County's homeless population rather than allowing them to continue living on the streets could save taxpayer money, according to a study released today by the United Way of Greater Los Angeles.

The four-year study followed four homeless people while they lived on the streets and later as they found stable housing. Researchers concluded that taxpayers could save $20,000 a year per person in public services. There were an estimated 73,000 homeless in L.A. County last year.

Elise Buik, president and chief executive of the local United Way, said they also looked at other cities that have reduced homelessness and found that permanent housing was the key.

“We always need to be very prudent with our public dollars, and for legislators to see this is a cost-effective model helps build the case that this is an effective model,” Buik said.

The study followed four chronically homeless people: A 52-year-old white woman, a 58-year-old white man, a 32-year-old Latino man and a 61-year-old black man. It took into account drug abuse, physical health, mental health, criminal justice and housing.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/10/homeless-study.html

[MannyGoldstein]

1. But Housing The Homeless Isn't Nearly Vindictive Enough...

...for most Americans. They need to suffer for their joy-ride of homelessness.

It's worth paying more to make sure they get what's coming to them.

[thunder rising]

2. They MUST remain miserable at any cost, or else they won't be miserable; then, what do call them