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Articles by Andy Bales
I've battled homelessness in Los Angeles and Des Moines. We need action in Iowa. | Opinion
Andy Bales is the former CEO of Union Rescue Mission in Los Angeles, where he served nearly 20 years. He previously led Door of Faith and Good Samaritan Urban Ministries in Des Moines. Homelessness in Des Moines is accelerating at an alarming pace. The time for bold action is now.
Housing First has failed. The homeless crisis in California demands a swift, effective response. Original
A recent article I read asked, “Is a philosophy destroying Los Angeles?” The answer is a resounding yes, unfortunately. I’ll never forget meeting with other leaders of Skid Row housing and service agencies, along with Philip Mangano, the architect of what was first called “Housing First” during the era of President George W. Bush, a meeting at which rational thought and practice was absent.
Largest tax increase in LA city history is misguided response to homelessness crisis Original
The crisis of homelessness in Los Angeles is chronic and vexing. Despite billions of tax dollars spent, the number of people on our streets continues to grow. Not surprisingly, last month, it was disclosed that the LA Housing Services Agency (LAHSA), Housing Authority of Los Angeles (HACLA), and the LA County Development Authority, returned nearly $150 million in federal grants that should have gone to help reduce L.A.-area homelessness.
House your homeless, or else on Apple Podcasts
28 min Among everything that COVID-19 made worse, there is nothing more dire — or more visible — than its impact on homelessness. Over 66,000 people in Los Angeles County are homeless. It’s an issue that has bedeviled L.A., the land of sunshine and dreams, for decades. Everyone seems to have an idea on how to solve it. None seem to work. Then last month, a federal judge issued an order: House everyone in skid row, the historical epicenter of homelessness in Los Angeles.
It’s time for a shelter-first policy to address Los Angeles’ homelessness crisis Original
As Angelenos wait in earnest for federal Judge David O. Carter to possibly impose a consent decree on the city and county of Los Angeles, the number of people living on the streets, parks and public rights-of-way is at an all-time high and an alarming amount of precious people made in the image of God will continue to die. Five precious people living on the streets die in Los Angeles County per day; 270 in January and February of this year alone, up a shocking 49 percent from last year.
Coming Face to Face With Homelessness in America
How we keep our home reflects our inner selves. Our homes aren’t just about furniture, fixtures, and decor — they’re about emotional safety, security, and harmony. Our home represents our growth and ongoing development, our dreams both fulfilled and yet unmet, our loves, desires, failures and successes, fears, and triumphs. Amid a global pandemic that is still holding a grip over most of the world, our homes, and our home lives, have been greatly challenged.
When it Comes to Homelessness, We Must Do More and We Must Do it Now
DTLA—Los Angeles is facing a humanitarian crisis, with tens of thousands of individuals living on the streets and facing disease, unimaginable squalor and violence. Day after day we make excuses for our inability to effectively address one of the most critical and expensive crises our city has ever faced. Instead of tackling this issue head-on, our representatives are spending tremendous amounts of money to address only a small percentage of the problem.
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