John Alle, a Santa Monica property owner and business owner, has launched a grassroots initiative to combat California’s homelessness crisis in Los Angeles County. The program, coordinated through the Santa Monica Coalition, aims to assist homeless individuals who have been unsheltered for less than a year in reuniting with family members, providing them with the support needed to reintegrate into their hometowns. Alle’s initiative includes funding travel expenses for these trips through donations from local donors and the implementation of an AI-powered hotline to efficiently manage the influx of requests. Since the program’s launch in June, the hotline has received over 500 calls, and they’ve completed the reunification process for eight people so far, according to Alle.
Alle’s initiative has sparked a broader conversation about the effectiveness of government-led solutions to homelessness, with critics arguing that current efforts are not yielding results. The Santa Monica Coalition has also filed a lawsuit against the LA County Public Health Department over its needle distribution program, which provides clean needles and naloxone to the homeless. The coalition claims these measures are not addressing the root causes of the crisis and are instead contributing to a cycle of dependency. As the program continues to expand, Alle hopes it will serve as a model for other communities facing similar challenges.
The program’s focus is on individuals who have been homeless for less than a year and are actively seeking help, as Alle believes they are more likely to succeed in reuniting with family and rebuilding their lives. Participation in the program is open to anyone who meets key criteria, including having identification to travel through the airport and a family member or friend who is willing to receive them upon arrival. Alle’s team personally verifies these arrangements with family beforehand to confirm their willingness and capability. Each participant must also sign a waiver agreeing that they are going along with the program of their own accord.
Alle’s initiative has also drawn attention to the broader issues surrounding homelessness in Los Angeles County, including the increasing levels of violence and crime. Alle has shared photos of his properties vandalized by gangs such as MS-13 and the 18th street gang, which are active in the area. He argues that city officials have turned a blind eye to these problems, allowing the situation to escalate out of control. The Santa Monica Coalition has criticized city leaders for their lack of political will to address the crisis, calling it a human catastrophe that requires immediate action.
Meanwhile, the LA County Public Health Department has defended its harm-reduction efforts, stating that they are well-documented to reduce overdose deaths and prevent the spread of communicable diseases. However, Alle and the Santa Monica Coalition argue that these measures are not enough and that more aggressive solutions are needed to address the underlying causes of the homelessness crisis. As the coalition continues to push for change, their initiative serves as a reminder of the urgent need for effective and sustainable solutions to one of the most pressing issues facing communities today.