In this explosive episode of Three Homeless Guys, hosts Joel Pollak, Ron Goldshmidt, and Oren Ezra are joined by Westside Current’s Jamie Paige for a dive deep into the money trail behind the rebuilding efforts, the *bureaucratic maze of debris removal, and the role of local journalism in exposing government mismanagement. They break down the controversial hiring of consulting firms, The real cost of homelessness funding, and The hidden inefficiencies in the so-called ‘one-stop’ permitting shop. With **millions at stake, the guys ask the tough questions: *Why do we have 12 agencies involved? Who’s really benefiting from disaster relief? And how can the community fight back for transparency and accountability? if we don’t demand answers, no one else will.
Key Takeaways:
🔥 Debris removal delays continue to leave residents stranded.
💰 Follow the money—where is government funding actually going?
🏗️ The one-stop permitting shop raises more questions than solutions.
📰 Local journalism is the last line of defense against government failure.
🚨 We need real fire preparedness—not just PR campaigns.
🌊 Water management is crucial to preventing future disasters.
🏚️ Homelessness funds need real oversight—where is the accountability?
📢 Community action is the only way to demand change!
Sound Bites:
🔹 “We are refugees with mortgages—and no roadmap forward.”
🔹 “Why do we have 12 agencies involved in a single permit?”
🔹 “Consultants are getting paid—**but who’s actually rebuilding?
🔹 “It’s time to audit everything—no more blank checks.”
00:00
Introduction and Overview of Local News
02:01
Debris Removal Challenges and Community Impact
12:58
The Role of Local Journalism in Accountability
20:22
Consulting Firms and Government Accountability
29:03
Fire Preparedness and Community Resilience
39:27
Rebuilding and Future Plans
41:33
Water Storage Solutions for Wildfires
43:19
California's Water Bond and Storage Issues
45:17
Budgeting for Homelessness vs. Fire Services
48:45
Federal Oversight and Accountability
49:56
Community Engagement and Local Politics
53:27
Insurance Challenges and Rebuilding Costs
55:55
State and Federal Insurance Proposals
58:08
The Need for Audits and Transparency
01:01:06
Community Action and Local Governance
01:09:21
Looking Ahead: Rebuilding and Future Elections