Too many of our residents are homeless. Some are single mothers who can’t afford first and last months’ rent and a security deposit; others are addicted to drugs or alcohol; still others are mentally ill and lack proper treatment. The actions of some homeless people pose challenges in our neighborhoods, and my office works closely with community stakeholders and law enforcement to address those issues. When homeless people are victimized, our office strives to vindicate their rights and help restore their lives.

Combating alleged patient dumping on Skid Row

Yesterday my office filed a lawsuit against Gardens Regional Hospital in Hawaiian Gardens for alleged patient dumping. Our complaint alleges that a 38 year-old schizophrenic, asthmatic, and diabetic woman–with a history of depression, anxiety and auditory hallucinations–was dumped in the heart of Skid Row dressed in nothing more than paper hospital togs.

Patient dumping is unconscionable. Ending this practice has been a top priority of mine. Since I became City Attorney we have settled three cases of alleged patient dumping, garnering $1.4 million in penalties, costs and donations to homeless service agencies. Most importantly, we secured agreements under which the hospitals committed to adopt humane patient discharge protocols to prevent patient dumping in the first place.

Helping homeless people restore their lives

Earlier this month my office re-launched our Homeless Citation Clinic, through which we helped clear outstanding citations that can impede access to housing and other resources, and connect participants with key service providers.

More than two hundred people sought our help in a single day, and thirty members of our staff volunteered to assist them. We also linked participants with thirteen non-profit service providers and public organizations, including Legal Aid, the Homeless Authority, the Public Defender, and the Departments of Public Social Services, Mental Health and Health Services.

By all accounts the Clinic was highly successful, inspiring us to organize similar clinics across the City.