According to United Coalition East Prevention Project, Skid Row Housing Trust, Provider of Housing for the Homeless in Los Angeles, Seeks to Sell Booze to Profit from Addiction in Skid Row

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Dec 08, 2013, 01:58 ET

Community Activists Organize to Stop Again a Government Funded Apartment Project, Housing People in Recovery, From Selling Alcohol at New Genesis Apartments

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- United Coalition East Prevention Project (UCEPP), and Alcohol Justice, along with more than 75 community members, will hold a press conference at 12 p.m., Monday, December 9, 2013. They will be protesting an application to sell alcohol by one of the largest providers of permanent/supportive housing in Los Angeles, Skid Row Housing Trust (SRHT).

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110727/DC41105LOGO)

Scores of community residents have organized to stop alcohol sales at the proposed venue, located on the ground floor of the New Genesis Apartments. Activists are adamant that publicly funded projects such as this -- that house the chronically homeless, and provide on-site wrap around services for alcoholics, addicts and/or those suffering from mental illness and poverty, should not profit from alcohol sales. Earlier this year the community rebuffed their first attempt to get an alcohol permit at this exact location.

General Jeff, a three term member of the Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council (DLANC), is among the first critics of this plan, "Skid Row Housing Trust boldly claims to provide services that help formerly homeless folks move beyond poverty, illness and addiction. How can they do this in a proficient manner with an alcohol permit hanging out of their pocket?" he stated.

Kevin Michael Key, UCEPP lead organizer, had this to say about placing an alcohol venue in housing built for people in recovery and/or with co-occurring disorders, "This project disregards the needs of the majority of the New Genesis residents and other community members who have adverse reactions to alcohol. So many people come up to me and say, selling alcohol makes dollars but it doesn't make sense. Where are we supposed to eat on Main Street? Why would they do that?"

Community Activists Demand:

1. That Skid Row Housing Trust withdraw its application for an alcohol CUP/CUB at the New Genesis Apartments, and agree not to seek any other alcohol permits in any of their supportive housing units.

2. That Council member Jose Huizar oppose any alcohol permits, in non-profit housing projects, that use public dollars to provide services for the homeless, within his district.

3. That all government agencies, contractors, private foundations and donors freeze all funding to SRHT, until such time as the application is withdrawn.

What: Press conference to stop alcohol sales at the New Genesis Apartments in skid row

When: 12 p.m., Monday, December 9, 2013

Where: New Genesis Apartments, 456 S. Main St. Los Angeles CA

Who: Supporters include:

Alcohol Justice
Current and former SRHT tenants and employees
Current residents of The New Genesis
General Jeff, Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Member (DLANC)
Pueblo Y Salud
Boyle Heights Stakeholders Association
The Wall Las Memorias Project
John Malpede, Founder- Los Angeles Poverty Department
Woman's Christian Temperance Union
Dr. Diane Woods, D.Ph., M.S.N., B.S.N., CPHN, RN
Susan Burton, Founder- A New Way Of Life
Paso por Paso
United Coalition East Prevention Project (UCEPP)

Why:

1. 80% of SRHT funding comes from government sources for the homeless, the addicted, and the mentally ill.

2. The Conditional Use Permit (CUP) hearing is Tuesday, Dec. 10th, 2013 at 9am. The community is mobilizing to stop the CUP approval.

3. New Genesis Apartment residents take medications that are potentially fatal if mixed with alcohol.

4. There are four alcohol venues already that serve alcohol within 1000 feet of the New Genesis Apartments.

5. The literature is replete with evidence showing an increase in violence, crime and alcohol consumption based on alcohol outlet proximity and density.

United Coalition East Prevention Project (UCEPP) was founded in 1996 to address the problems related to alcohol and other drugs in the Central City East area of downtown Los Angeles, commonly known as "skid row." UCEPP's mission is to engage the most vulnerable populations of Central City East to challenge systemic conditions and social disparities that threaten a healthy environment.

For more information, please visit: www.socialmodel.com

Contacts
Kevin M. Key – UCEPP - Lead Organizer 213.948.6159
General Jeff - Downtown Los Angeles Neighborhood Council Member – 323.445.0723
Jorge Castillo – Alcohol Justice Advocacy Director – 213.840.3336

SOURCE Alcohol Justice