Citizen-activists, local businessmen, churches, and charity groups are coming together in Hollywood to help address the tremendous homeless problem in the area. Working apart from the bureaucratic mess in Sacramento and only with the Department of Veteran Affairs on the federal level, this grassroots effort to help get the most at-risk individuals off of the streets is so far being met with success thanks to the coordinated efforts of these individuals and the generous donations of local businesses; over $100,000 has been raised and another $700,000 routed from county funds to create 200 permanent housing units. Volunteers have been combing the streets, alleys, and hillsides to document the homeless population and determine which individuals are most at-risk, and slowly moving them over into housing. The L.A. County Department of Mental Health is on hand to assist those with disabilities, and the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs is involved to make sure veterans are getting their benefits. It's a good example of people coming together to solve the ills of their community, tailoring their efforts to the particular problems their neighbors face. Good for them.