Congratulations to Steve Lopez for bringing the community's attention to issues around the revitalization of the neighborhood in "A Skid Row Bistro Sounds Pretty Good, Despite Reservations" (Sept. 6). However, if the area around 4th and Main streets became the exclusive domain of the poor, it was because everyone else abandoned it. Now that we are all anxious to experience downtown again, this does not have to be at the expense of the folks who live there.
More than 3,000 single-room housing units in the area are begging for rehabilitation. The Skid Row Housing Trust has successfully rehabilitated 18 buildings, serving 1,100 people with decent housing. Moreover, we provide supportive services to help residents stay housed and improve their lives rather than returning to the jails, hospitals and streets.
