To the editor: I attempted for greater than two years to get a homeless pal into housing. The method has made me surprise how anybody can get assist.
Once I first tried to register my pal with Homeless Well being Care Los Angeles, I used to be advised he wanted a tuberculosis check legitimate for 90 days. After calling day by day for 18 months, I used to be lastly advised a unit was obtainable.
By that point my pal had misplaced all his private possessions, together with his passport. So I needed to get him a brand new ID. After ready 30 days for the ID to reach, I attempted to register my pal once more — solely to be advised I wanted a present TB check. So we went and bought him one.
About three months later, I bought a name saying a room was obtainable. Once I introduced my pal in for the interview, we had been advised his TB check end result was 92 or 93 days outdated and, due to this fact, invalid. So we bought him one other check.
Then, once I went again to do paperwork for my pal, I used to be advised he wanted a medical checkup from his present doctor. So we went and did that. I do not know how anybody and not using a automobile can do all this.
As I hearken to Mayor Karen Bass speak about putting homeless folks into housing, I’m wondering if there’s a solution to make our system simpler to navigate. It took greater than two years to get my pal into a spot he can name house. I hope others have a better time.
Nicholas Melillo, Los Angeles
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