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.
Morning Briefing: How LA’s Homeless System Is Failing
A homeless encampment on First Street in downtown L.A. (Chava Sanchez/LAist)
()
Never miss a morning briefing. Subscribe today to get our A.M. newsletter delivered to your inbox.
Good morning, L.A.
Halcyon Selfmade has lived in L.A. for several years, ever since his family in Tennessee rejected him for coming out as transgender. During most of these recent years, Hal and his partner have been unhoused.
In a profile, Matt Tinoco examines the failed system that left them behind. In large part, Matt writes, the problem is that the city doesn’t have enough inexpensive housing:
Support for LAist comes from
“The amount of low-income housing actually available is far eclipsed by the number of people who need help … [resulting in] a homeless services system that staffs thousands to get people who are already homeless ‘ready’ to move into housing, but struggles to rehouse them before more people end up on the street.”
This is just one of the reasons that the current pay-to-play scandal at City Hall is so atrocious. As people like Hal waited for apartments they can afford, some City Council members allegedly took bribes to ensure that such units were never created.
Keep reading for more on what’s happening in L.A. today, and stay safe out there.
Coming Up Today, October 2
In a series of recollections, Judy Jean Kwon reflects on what she lost when her family brought her to the U.S. from Korea -- and what it’s taken to reclaim at least part of her past.
Support for LAist comes from
Sharon McNary reports on upcoming road closures in Long Beach, as workers connect ramps of the 710 Freeway to the area’s shiny new bridge. Meanwhile, LAist contributor Melissa Chadburn has the story of how Angeles Crest Creamery founder Gloria Putnam is regrouping after her ice cream shop was scorched by the Bobcat Fire.
LAUSD has spent more than $210 million in emergency funds to deal with the coronavirus. Kyle Stokes breaks down the spending and examines the potential long term effects of Superintendent. Austin Beutner’s extraordinary authority.
Dana Amihere reports on how special education funding that’s determined through the census is needed to fill opportunity gaps for students from low-income homes, and Caroline Champlin examines the potential consequences for L.A. and California of the Trump administration’s effort to remove undocumented immigrants from the final census tally.
Never miss an LAist story. Sign up for our daily newsletters.
The Past 24 Hours In LA
Support for LAist comes from
L.A. Communities: Will the shooting of two sheriff's deputies provide an opportunity to start mending ruptured relations between law enforcement and some communities they serve, or exacerbate the tension? L.A.’s piecemeal homeless system often leaves those in great need to fend for themselves.
Bills, Bills, Bills: Gov. Gavin Newsom had until Sept. 30 to decide whether to sign or reject a raft of bills from the California legislature – here’s how they played out.
Census 2020: Along with political power and representation, billions of dollars in federal funding for Pell grants, special education and school breakfast and lunch programs are at stake for Southern California in the 2020 Census.
Coronavirus in L.A.: SummerBio is the start-up lab company behind LAUSD's plan to regularly test all students and staff for COVID-19, and new information reveals what the district has spent with them so far.
Local Landmarks: The kitschy, slightly rundown, Bavarian-themed Alpine Village complex is L.A. County's latest official landmark.
Here’s What To Do: Celebrate Mortified's new game at a storytelling night, check out Dublab's 21st birthday, ease into the weekend with a Grand Park session, and more at this week’s best online and IRL events.
Support for LAist comes from
Photo Of The Day
Wheelchair-bound Halcyon Selfmade is pushed by a man at a recent protest against homeless sweeps in Hollywood.
(Matt Tinoco/LAist)
()
Help Us Cover Your Community
- Got something you’ve always wanted to know about Southern California and the people who call it home? Is there an issue you want us to cover? Ask us anything.
- Have a tip about news on which we should dig deeper? Let us know.
The news cycle moves fast. Some stories don't pan out. Others get added. Consider this today's first draft, and check LAist.com for updates on these stories and more. Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
This post has been updated to reflect changes in what's coming up for today.
DON'T MISS ANY L.A. CORONAVIRUS NEWS
Get our daily newsletters for the latest on COVID-19 and other top local headlines.
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
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 Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases. -
Distrito Catorce’s Guillermo Piñon says the team no longer reflects his community. A new mural will honor local leaders instead. -
The program is for customers in communities that may not be able to afford turf removal or water-saving upgrades. -
More than half of sales through September have been to corporate developers. Grassroots community efforts continue to work to combat the trend.
Best of LAist