Anna Scott / KCRW
In Los Angeles, city officials grappling with an ongoing homelessness crisis have turned to an idea that for decades was politically unpopular and considered radical: A government-funded tent encampment.
Other cities, including San Francisco, Seattle and Tampa have opened similar programs in recent years. But the high public cost of L.A. s first sanctioned campground more than $2,600 per tent, per month has advocates worried it will come at the expense of more permanent housing.
The campsite opened in late April on a fenced-in parking lot beside the 101 freeway in East Hollywood. The lot-turned-campground can accommodate up to about 70 tents in 12-by-12 foot spots, marked by white squares painted on the asphalt.
High Cost Of Los Angeles Homeless Camp Raises Eyebrows And Questions
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High Cost Of Los Angeles Homeless Camp Raises Eyebrows And Questions
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High Cost Of Los Angeles Homeless Camp Raises Eyebrows And Questions
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As the number of coronavirus deaths continued to climb in Los Angeles County last July, Cynthia Aguirre said she wasn’t leaving her house unless she had no other option.
The 36-year-old South Gate woman, who has long had rheumatoid arthritis, was at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19. A single mother to a 1-year-old daughter born with a heart condition, Aguirre said she hadn’t been anywhere other than a grocery store for months.
The last thing Aguirre wanted to do was walk into the Long Beach courthouse. But she needed to start the process of divorcing her husband who she alleges beat her repeatedly during a decadelong relationship and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department wouldn’t serve him unless she brought them the documents in person.