To the editor: I was delighted to see the L.A. Times editorial board persistently urging the city to move forward with the Venice Dell affordable housing project, as featured in their March 23 piece. As a homeowner in Venice, just a short stroll from the proposed site, and a professor specializing in urban planning at UCLA, I’ve eagerly anticipated this housing initiative getting the green light and overcoming the numerous NIMBY-driven lawsuits. However, it’s been frustrating to watch City Councilwoman Traci Park and City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto seemingly working to derail the project.
What’s truly baffling is Mayor Karen Bass’s inaction. Despite campaigning on a promise to end homelessness, she hasn’t actively supported a development designed to offer 60 units of permanent supportive housing for individuals transitioning out of homelessness, along with 60 more units for low-income families and artists. These are people who face the real threat of being displaced and losing their homes. As the editorial rightly urges, “Get it built!”
Chris Tilly, Venice
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To the editor: Former Councilman Mike Bonin was known as a “champion” for the homeless, despite the concerns of taxpaying citizens who just want a clean and safe place to live. Conversely, Traci Park has been a staunch defender of Venice residents, opposing this and other similarly ill-conceived projects. This particular initiative risks embedding a potentially dangerous homeless population within our community, as evidenced by the temporary housing situation at the Main Street transit lot.
The editorial suggests, “The Venice Dell project is not a rogue project on a piece of land haphazardly turned over to the developers by the city’s Development Department and City Council.” However, many of us feel it is exactly that. The neighborhood council and a significant portion of Venice residents have voiced their opposition to the project. It seems like our opinions are being brushed aside.
Mindy Taylor-Ross, Venice
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To the editor: I appreciate your efforts to call out the hypocrisy of elected officials who profess a desire to tackle Venice’s homelessness issue while acting contrary to that goal. Councilwoman Park appears more interested in pleasing the NIMBY crowd, disregarding the decisions made by both the City Council and the Coastal Commission, which have both lent their support to this valuable project.
Sheila Goldberg, Venice
