What Does the Future of Homelessness in L.A. Look Like?

By Dylan Sherry | May 12, 2021

California’s homeless population has substantially grown since the beginning of the lockdowns in early 2020. Tents, whether purchased, built, or provided, can be found throughout L.A.’s parks, sidewalks, beaches, etc. Waste, crime, and illness are all unfortunate byproducts of a system that doesn’t account for the city’s most desperate. According to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), 1,383 homeless people died in 2020, further portraying the severity of the situation. With mountains of complaints coming from residents and businesses, the lack of action from California’s state and local governments fails everyone.

Recently, we’ve witnessed homeless camps torn down as part of ‘clean-up’ projects, however, this begs the question… where will they go instead? Skid Row is an area that may come to mind, infamous for the number of displaced people that quite literally, have nowhere else to go. 

For officials and representatives, it’s a thin line to walk. On one hand, streets crowded with homeless individuals aren't ‘good’ for business, but inaction and oversight on behalf of the government are reasons as to why it’s caused. Tiny Home villages and new shelters are tactics that have emerged, but they don’t account for the sheer number of displaced persons. 

However, Skid Row made national news recently, with local businesses filing a federal lawsuit to force their hand in alieving the situation. A judge ordered that all homeless people living on Skid Row must be offered housing by October 18th, a progression that many were hoping to see. 

With L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti pledging $1 billion towards homelessness in a recent budget, the moves are coming later than desired, but are still integral to the future of the city. Businesses and neighborhoods all benefit from having fewer people living on the streets; what we’re finally seeing is an investment in people who are often forgotten… it’s better late than never. 

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Author’s Bio: DYLAN SHERRY is a senior at CSUN majoring in Journalism/Public Relations. Following a gap year after high school, he landed on Journalism/PR due to his interest in media and writing. Additionally, creating and playing music outside of school led to his interest in Public Relations, with some of the tools and lessons taught in class have benefitted him in that field. Sherry currency resides in Van Nuys and will graduate from CSUN at the end of the 2021 Spring semester. 

Photo Credit: Chris John via Pexels (public domain)