LA Examiner

Tag: mayor karen bass

  • RV Crisis in Los Angeles Targeted by New Legislation

    RV Crisis in Los Angeles Targeted by New Legislation

    Image credit: Unsplash

    For generations, California has been seen as the land of opportunity. From a time when California was simply a part of the Wild West to the California gold rush of the 1840s, the Golden State has proven to be a fixture within pop culture, regarded as a land of opportunity and promise. This almost mythic reputation carried over into the twentieth and twenty-first centuries through the rise of film as a medium and strategic positioning of Hollywood as the mecca of all things glitzy, glamorous, and star-studded. 

    As a result of this centuries-old storied legacy, the idea of traveling westward to California in search of fortune and fame is practically ingrained into the minds of most Americans. However, many who make this iconic pilgrimage get there only to realize that making it in California is a bit more difficult than they may have anticipated. This has led to a large homeless population and a plethora of RV encampments serving as people’s homes. 

    Addressing the RV Encampment Crisis

    Now, Mayor Karen Bass is promising Angelenos will see more RV encampments cleared and people housed after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill that opens up more than two dozen properties near L.A. freeways to store towed RVs, feed homeless individuals, and provide emergency shelter.

    Assemblyman Rick Chavez Zbur, who represents Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Hollywood Hills, and other Westside communities, introduced legislation that gives Los Angeles access to 25 Caltrans parcels under or near freeways for $1 a month. The bill sponsored by Bass aims to solve the logistical problem that has vexed city officials for years—where to store towed R.V.s.

    AD 4nXfVnXl4n1hBdGyW8nQFI67eFI49OummvXEpsPRqXVY4Z23C6s 8G6m39C O73USPhQTvdqbESELUYY0f20oWVouDSH0Ao4l nghZWo3pjIW

    Angelenos will “see the difference in more R.V. encampments being cleared,” said Clara Karger, a spokeswoman for Bass, in an emailed statement.

    But it might take a while to see that difference. Currently, only one of the California Department of Transportation’s 64 so-called airspace properties is available. “As other properties become available, Caltrans will contact the city,” Matt Rocco, the agency’s spokesperson, reassured the public.

    Challenges and Solutions for Housing RV Dwellers

    City officials have struggled for years with a shortage of vehicles that can tow the large RV campers that currently house communities from Van Nuys to South Los Angeles. Threatening to tow an RV is one thing, but following through on such a large scale has proven troublesome for LA officials. Even when tow trucks are available, there often isn’t a city yard where these recreational vehicles can be held. Some of these are legally required to be held for up to 120 days before being destroyed, claimed, or auctioned.

    According to a legislative analysis, there are only 325 spaces for RVs in city lots, and as of early 2024, 95% were occupied. Councilwoman Monica Rodriguez, who created a home placement program in her San Fernando Valley District for those living in RVs, said the legislation isn’t a panacea, but it addresses “one of our biggest obstructions to facilitating these RVs getting off the street in a more expedited fashion.”

    As if making a living in California, with the comparatively high cost of living, wasn’t already difficult enough, COVID made things immeasurably harder for everyone. During the pandemic, an explosion of people lived in tattered recreational vehicles parked in neighborhoods and industrial stretches. The influx has raised the ire of many neighbors, who complain about unsightly tarps, trash, raw sewage, and crime, even as the camps are essential housing for thousands of people. While homeless tent camps can be cleared with relative ease, RVs have continued to pose serious problems and logistical issues in the past few years.

    Looking Ahead: A New Approach to Homelessness in Los Angeles

    Fortunately, instead of combating these residents, Los Angeles officials are now looking to help them with the passing of new legislation that can afford them a viable home beyond the walls of their RV. Bass pushed for the bill in hopes that it would help her as she expands her Inside Safe effort beyond tent encampments. In December, more than 50 R.V.s were cleared along Forest Lawn Drive, with roughly 31 dwellers accepting housing and 20 RVs turned over to the city.

    “RV encampments pose a range of tactical and logistical challenges that require legislative and regulatory fixes,” Bass said, announcing its passage. “This bill will help us move RVs out of neighborhoods and bring more Angelenos into housing in a faster and cheaper way.”

  • Los Angeles Faces Inflection Point in Battle Against Homelessness

    Los Angeles Faces Inflection Point in Battle Against Homelessness

    Image credit: Unsplash

    Los Angeles stands at a pivotal moment in its fight against homelessness, with the coming months set to reveal whether the city will achieve significant progress or face growing frustration with its leadership.

    Recently, the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority released its annual count, revealing a slight dip in the number of people without housing. Conducted in late January, the count found 75,312 homeless individuals in Los Angeles County, a marginal decrease of less than 1%. In the city of Los Angeles, the count was 45,252, marking a 2.2% drop. 

    While these numbers aren’t exactly a reason to rejoice, they do represent the first decline since 2018, stirring cautious optimism. Mayor Karen Bass, at a press conference in MacArthur Park, highlighted the complexity of the situation. “It’s too soon to say we’ve reached a turning point,” she said. “I’m very encouraged and excited that the count is down and that shelter is up, but it’s going to take a while before we can say we’ve gone in a completely new direction.”

    Mayor Bass has been more proactive in tackling homelessness than any of her predecessors in the last three decades. Since taking office nearly two years ago, she has concentrated on dismantling encampments and boosting shelter availability. This year’s count shows a 10% drop in street homelessness within the city and a 38% reduction in encampments, reflecting her targeted efforts.

    AD 4nXfXnA0ohTx LhJHohUy5ob2 AEVbrj5f8X0sgf0zsrx2AlAJEJxxA VDqDCF3yRhC88jWKyz g5LxLyRR11A8KTwFd4InwUmJ2zBKAZyqnv9Y TePIQJB1bHQ2wF N5qGcBYxn d8lHs MM07Gjt2zDUla?key=50WV4UeufaYtS5iklTRZUg

    However, challenges persist. The lifting of COVID-era eviction protections has put tens of thousands of Angelenos at risk of losing their homes. In response, Bass directed the Mayor’s Fund to launch a program to protect renters. Additionally, Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s controversial policy of sending migrants to Los Angeles has added to the city’s housing burden, with volunteers stepping in to provide support and connect new arrivals with resources.

    Recent legal developments have also introduced potential complications. The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that Grants Pass, Oregon, did not violate constitutional protections against “cruel and unusual” punishment by arresting homeless individuals for camping on public property, even without adequate shelter options, may prompt similar measures in Southern California. Such policies could drive more homeless individuals to Los Angeles, straining the city’s resources further.

    The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has put forward a November ballot measure to double an existing quarter-cent sales tax for housing and homeless services, aiming to rake in $1.2 billion yearly for housing, mental health care, and substance abuse treatment. Yet, impatience is growing among some supporters. BizFed, a coalition of businesses and employers, has voiced doubts about the new measure. CEO Tracy Hernandez stated, “We backed Measure H in 2017 to provide 10 years of dedicated resources to take care of our unhoused neighbors. However, Los Angeles County’s homeless population grew 43% between 2018 and 2023. We call on our county’s elected leaders to show improvement before demanding more taxpayer dollars.”

    Mayor Bass acknowledges the need for visible progress and has emphasized the strong accountability mechanisms included in the November ballot measure to ensure that funds are effectively utilized. “Success breeds confidence, but success can only be achieved with support, and support requires public confidence,” Bass noted.

    As Los Angeles wrestles with the tangled mess of homelessness and public trust, the city’s actions in the next few months will be crucial. The tightrope walk of making real progress while keeping public backing will shape the future for tens of thousands of homeless folks in America’s second-biggest city.