News
Los Angeles initiates program to assist homeless individuals in navigating the legal system
Los Angeles city and county leaders have taken a proactive approach to assist unhoused individuals in navigating the complex legal system by launching a new program aimed at providing legal services to homeless individuals and those at risk of homelessness. The launch of the Community Outreach Court program marks a significant step towards addressing the legal barriers that often prevent unhoused individuals from accessing critical housing and social services.
The Community Outreach Court program, the first of its kind in the city, is designed to simplify the criminal court process for homeless individuals, offering a range of legal aid services to help resolve outstanding fines, fees, misdemeanors, and expunge convictions. Additionally, the program aims to address bench warrants and connect participants with vital support services and job opportunities that can help them secure stable housing and reintegrate into society.
Initially established as a pilot program six months ago, the Community Outreach Court has already assisted approximately 190 individuals, including those on the brink of homelessness. The success of the pilot program has led to the official launch of the initiative, signaling a long-term commitment to supporting the legal needs of the unhoused population in Los Angeles.
L.A. City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto, who has been instrumental in spearheading the program, emphasized the importance of bringing court services directly to the community to address the unique challenges faced by unhoused individuals. Many homeless individuals may be hesitant to engage with the legal system due to concerns about storing their belongings or fears of losing them, making the accessibility of legal services crucial in overcoming these barriers.
The Community Outreach Court program is a collaborative effort involving key stakeholders such as the L.A. County Superior Court, L.A. Mayor’s office, County Public Defender’s office, and County Alternate Public Defender’s office. By leveraging the expertise and resources of multiple agencies, the program is able to provide comprehensive legal support and holistic solutions to unhoused individuals, ultimately empowering them to address legal issues and secure stable housing.
News
Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?
The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.
This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.
In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?
Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.
Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?
With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:
Prices may rise again
If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.
But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.
Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.
You may be able to make a quick profit
Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.
Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.
There are other benefits of investing in gold
There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:
- Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
- Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.
The bottom line
Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.
-
News3 weeks ago
Kevin McCarthy, former House Speaker, seeks revenge
-
News3 weeks ago
Juno discovers massive lava lake on Io
-
News3 weeks ago
Possible Future Colleague of Trump: David Lammy, a Close Associate of Obama
-
News2 weeks ago
Voyager 1 Communications Restored by NASA
-
Entertainment3 weeks ago
Bethenny Frankel reveals that her mother Bernadette Birk passed away from lung cancer
-
News2 weeks ago
Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?
-
Entertainment2 weeks ago
Kim Kardashian completes strange task before having her coffee