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 during our fall member drive.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Los Angeles Spends $100 Million A Year On The Homeless
Photo by Malingering via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr.
()
Los Angeles spends over $100 million per year on issues related to its homeless population, according to a recent assessment by the city.The 21-page report was authored by City Administrative Officer Miguel A. Santana, and might be the first time the city ever had ever taken such a wide look at the way multiple city services and agencies handle homelessness and its costs. While the majority of it—up to $87 million—goes towards arrests, patrols, and mental health interventions, the cost of handling the homeless also falls upon libraries, parks, and paramedics. "There appears to be no consistent process across city departments for dealing with the homeless or with homeless encampments," said the report.
With multiple city agencies handling this issue, the resources are not managed efficiently without any streamlining. "We're spending more than $100 million to manage the problem. How can we better align the money to address the outcomes we want to achieve?" Santana said to the L.A. Times.
The report also criticized city services for not proactively combating the homeless issue. "Responses to homelessness by city departments are not designed to end homelessness by systematically connecting the homeless to assessment, services, and housing," it read. "People need to understand it is more humane and cost-effective to help people become not homeless," retired UCLA law professor Gary Blasi told the Times.
"Under Villaraigosa the city has been completely AWOL on treating the homeless, and I can't say [Garcetti] has done much more," said Mark Ryavec, president of Venice Stakeholders Association.
Support for LAist comes from
The report goes on to recommend that the city devote more resources towards outreach for the homeless population, including a centralized office and localized, neighborhood outposts. It also suggests hiring outside consultants to monitor the city's efforts.
According to CBS 2, Los Angeles' homeless population was estimated to be at least 20,000.
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 L.A. County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to declare immigration enforcement actions a local emergency. -
Tens of thousands of workers across Southern California walk out over pay and staffing issues. -
People in and around recent burn scars should be alert to the risk of debris flows. Typical October weather will be back later this week. -
Jet Propulsion Laboratory leadership says the cuts amount to 11% of the workforce. -
The rock legend joins LAist for a lookback on his career — and the next chapter of his music. -
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain.
Best of LAist