With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
Homeless People Can Self-Isolate In Tents, But Encampment Sweeps Stay
An L.A. City HOPE team seizes a tent in Hollywood in Spring 2019. (Matt Tinoco/LAist)
()
In an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19, the Los Angeles City Council voted late tonight to allow homeless residents to self-isolate in their tents — but stopped short of halting encampment cleanups, known as sweeps.
Council members Mike Bonin, Marqueece Harris-Dawsin, and Gil Cedillo had argued that the enforcement of laws pertaining to homeless encampments “effectively prohibits people from self-quarantining and maintaining social distance.”
“The ideal solution is to provide housing and shelter and allow people to move out [of] encampments and come indoors,” the councilmembers wrote in the motion.
“In the meantime, people remain on our streets, in tents and underneath tarps. Multiple, urgent efforts must be undertaken to the public health issues from and in encampments.”
Support for LAist comes from
The motion called for:
- Allowing 24-hour access to restrooms at parks, libraries, and other public buildings.
- Installation and maintenance of port-a-potties, dumpsters and hand-washing stations at major encampments.
- Expanding weekly shower service.
- Partial suspension of city law L.A.M.C 56.11 which requires tents to be broken down during the daytime.
Those proposals passed, though with some hedging to allow city departments a little bit of time to prepare.
An additional proposal to end the seizure and confiscation of materials and personal property over 60 gallons was voted down.
The motion directs city departments to produce a list of vacant or underutilized public properties that could be used as emergency housing, as well as parking lots and other spaces that could be used as “Emergency Safe Camping Zones.”
The state of California was also asked to immediately expand shelter for unhoused residents in unused motel and hotel rooms, and for formal policy guidance on how to address the public health problems created by homeless encampments.
MORE ON CORONAVIRUS:
• Your No-Panic Guide To Coronavirus In LA So Far
• Your No-Panic Guide: Sanitizer, Toilet Paper, Medicine — When Will Everything Be Back In Stock?
• Here's Your Quick, To The Point, Coronavirus Prep List
• Have A Question? We Will Answer It
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails. -
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.
Best of LAist