The demise of Dome Village – a homeless alternative in Downtown Los Angeles

We recently spent a couple days downtown doing some research on the homeless and stumbled onto a real gem of a story. Many of our stereotype attitudes went right out the window.

 

Dome Village, a small community of homeless people nestled in the shadows downtown Los Angeles. For the past 13 years Dome Village has served the homeless community as an experimental concept that given temporary housing to those who desire to re-establish their lives. In the years since Dome Village's inception, dome village has given aid to no less then 500 people through its 2 year rehabilitation plan with 400 on the waiting list at any given time. But now that Dome Village has been given notice of eviction from the property they rent, they must tear down 13 years of progress and assistance.


Dome village is comprised of 35 free standing domes in a clean and shady area that are 24 feet in diameter and typically house two "dome mates", but can accommodate a family of four. The domes were designed by Craig Chamberlain and were produced by a company named "LEK".

Through there are no guidelines or processes for becoming homeless there are, however, guidelines that are in place to help staff determine a persons eligibility for housing at Dome Village. The first requirement would be a verification of homelessness to be submitted by a social worker. Those who suffer from a sever mental illness are also not accepted at Dome Village due to lack of staffing and liability. Finally Dome Village has a no tolerance policy for violence, therefore those who have a record of violence or cause it while living there are asked to leave. Children are all required to be enrolled in school, as well as residents in programs that are specific to what will help them rebuild their lives.

One of the dangers of Dome Village, however; is that some residents can become too comfortable there and will not take the proper steps to getting their lives back together and try to sabotage their own progress so they can stay.

"Most homeless people want help, but aren't ready to take on the responsibilities of getting their lives back together" said Graham Foster resident case manager. Though Dome Village is a non-denominational program, however, churches and other groups are allowed on site to offer their services to those who desire them.


"Politics stopped the mission of Dome Village" said Ted Hays, founder of Dome Village.

Hays, who considers himself the "American Gandhi" and a "failed capitalist", believes that helping the homeless is a status symbol for many wealthy people, and with the homeless being self sufficient through this program, it posed a threat to self gratifying philanthropists, and "socialist-communists" who use the tragic conditions of poor people to boost their status.




Of course, Mr. Hays is only outspoken on issues regarding the homeless, but is also very active in politics as well.

"George Bush and Osama Bin Laden are not responsible for the mess that was left for them� said Hays. "But they are guilty for not doing anything about it".

Though he is an over qualified representative for homeless and progressive people alike, Hays believes that the world�s problems can come to an end in his lifetime, if young people would be at the forefront of the fight.

"We have the ability to turn everything around that has happened in the past few thousand years if we all decided to fix the problem and not let egos interfere" said Hays.

    The website for Dome Village is: http://www.domevillage.org



For more photos of the Dome Village  click here