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LA Homeless Get Portable Shelter

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 10, 2008 2:49 PM CST
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(Newser) – A select group of homeless people in Los Angeles now have some relatively decent digs, the Los Angeles Times reports. The EDAR, which stands for for Everyone Deserves a Roof, is a portable shelter that can be used to transport belongings by day. At night it unfolds into a rainproof pop-up tent. Some 60 of the units have been distributed to shelters and individuals in LA, and aid organizations are evaluating the system for an expanded rollout.

The EDAR was conceived by producer/ philanthropist Peter Samuelson after he met a woman sleeping in a Sub-Zero box. “I've got the refrigerator. She's got the box. What is wrong with this picture?” he thought. Critics think the shelter might encourage homeless people to stay on the street, but Samuelson disagrees. “There's no pretense it's as good as permanent or temporary brick-and-mortar housing,” he said. But it’s “infinitely better than a damp cardboard box.”

A woman walks with her daughter past the crowd outside the Union Rescue Mission, which received 17 EDARs.
A woman walks with her daughter past the crowd outside the Union Rescue Mission, which received 17 EDARs.   (AP Photo)
Two men stand against a fence on San Julian Street, one of Skid Row's most troubled areas.
Two men stand against a fence on San Julian Street, one of Skid Row's most troubled areas.   (AP Photo)
The EDAR in action.
The EDAR in action.   (Los Angeles Times)
A homeless man, left, sits at a corner looking for donations in Beverly Hills.
A homeless man, left, sits at a corner looking for donations in Beverly Hills.   (AP Photo)
The EDAR is an improvement over tent cities.
The EDAR is an improvement over tent cities.   (AP Photo)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Silverbow7
May 30, 2009 11:46 PM CDT
Yeah. Get right on that. You can get a job if you want one. If you were not lazy and wanted to work you could. And make a good wage too. There are plenty of jobs. Just look around. And you lowlifes who drag your children with you out to the street, big shame on you. Your children, already confused, need to lose their parents and go live in one of the wonderful foster homes available. Maybe they would even live through the foster care experience. So what if they are traumatized by the loss of home and friends and now parents. So what? Right is right no matter who it hurts or how deeply. And now that you are one of the The Lazy Unwashed Poor the police are expected to harass you even though the attempt to criminalize homelessness was stopped. You are now going to be treated like a criminal and be looked down on with scorn. It's surprising how many never even suspected they'd end up homeless. Don't worry-It will never happen to you, 2motions.
Guest
Dec 14, 2008 5:45 AM CST
I'm on the fence with this one.. I do believe that everyone deserves a shelter, but at the same time I believe that if (1) you have a child and you're homeless, your child needs to be taken from you, and (2) if you're homeless, you need to work a little harder to get back on your feet. I understand that for some people, it's incredibly difficult to build a normal life after hitting rock bottom, but come on. I feel bad for homeless people, especially homeless children, but as part of being an adult, you have to make adult decisions - and that includes getting yourself back on your feet when you hit the bottom.

The EDAR website
EDAR.org

A map of homeless populations in downtown LA
Cartifact

Some of the neediest are difficult to find
Los Angeles Times

 
philanthropy • California • Los Angeles • homeless • shelter • poverty • Peter Samuelson

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