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2 People Got Permanent Housing After LA Spent Over $3M Clearing Encampments Under 41.18 Law, New Report Finds
LAPD officers prompt an unhoused person to leave their tent during a sweep of an encampment on Venice Boulevard in Venice Beach.
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Brian Feinzimer
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LAist
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Topline:
Nearly a year late, L.A. city officials have released a highly anticipated report on the city council’s controversial anti-camping law, known as 41.18. The report finds just two people got permanent housing after over $3 million was spent on enforcement, while it notes that LAPD says the policy has improved public safety.
Some key findings from the report, which was overseen by the council’s chief legislative analyst Sharon Tso:
- 39% of people at encampments returned after enforcement efforts.
- About 16% received temporary housing.
- An analysis attached to the report notes that the city does not create additional shelter or housing capacity as part of its 41.18 enforcement efforts, but relies on limited existing shelter for placing people who’ve been ordered to leave encampments.
Full cost not disclosed: The report estimates about $3 million was spent on anti-camping signage for 41.18 from September 2021 through December 2023, but notes that amount does not include the cost of police enforcement. That’s because LAPD didn’t track how much of its costs were for enforcement of the ordinance, according to the report.
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Nearly a year late: The report was ordered by the council in April of last year, and due two months later in June. It eventually was released Friday, nearly a year late. The delay inspired a protest song by unhoused advocates, who sang it aloud during a council meeting last month.
Part of the report was leaked to LAist: Much of the report is based on a data analysis by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, which was completed in November and leaked to LAist in March. At the time it prompted a flurry of debate among top elected officials and residents.
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