Author: Christina Campodonico

Westside is a microcosm of Los Angeles as projects to combat homelessness face logistical and financial challenges By Kellie Chudzinski  Despite state, city, and countywide efforts to house those living on the streets the picture of homelessness on the Westside continues to look bleak with rising numbers, more and larger encampments, increased incidents with residents, and stalled permanent housing projects.  The need for more housing is growing rapidly every year.  The numbers recorded at the start of 2020 show 41,290 people experiencing homelessness in LA city and 70% are unsheltered and struggling to survive in tents, encampments, vehicles, and other locations. In 2019, the Westside saw the greatest increase in homelessness in the county, growing by 19%. Though, that number is likely higher now, as the COVID-19 pandemic hit the states two months after the most recent count, with estimates suggesting homelessness is 16% higher since the pandemic began. Observationally, residents are feeling growth in the unhoused population living on the streets.  Recent numbers by the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) shows that Council District 11 on the Westside, has one of the highest numbers of unsheltered people with just under 3,200. Those numbers may not fully reflect the true number as the pandemic has sent more people to the street with high visibility of homeless encampments in Venice. One resident who spoke with The Argonaut estimated that...

Area Seniors receive flowers as part of Westside Pacific Villages’ COVID-19 response By Christina Campodonico Last Friday, some area seniors were surprised by an extra special delivery — fresh flowers! After fanning out from Playa del Rey, volunteers delivered around 140 bouquets to seniors in Westchester, Playa Vista, Mar Vista and Ladera Heights. The colorful posies, made possible through a donation by the Delavigne Family of Playa del Rey to up cheer up isolated seniors and support local businesses, were arranged by Culver Boulevard florist Flowers by Felicia and delivered as part of Westside Pacific Villages’ COVID-19 response. The nonprofit is also doing free grocery delivery and pharmacy pickups for area seniors during this time, but WPV’s Executive Director Carol Kitabayashi soon realized that seniors couldn’t live off bread and water alone, so to speak. The idea for weekly care packages came “naturally.” “Once a week, we do a special delivery to the folks … to cheer them up,” said Kitabayashi over the phone last week. “Today, it was a flower delivery.” “Everyone I delivered to lit up when they saw the flowers,” said Darlene Fukuji, a WPV volunteer and President of the Westchester Rotary. “They loved it. They were like, ‘Oh my gosh, flowers! …. I haven’t received flowers in a long time.'” One flower recipient followed up with a grateful message to WPV’s voicemail, recalled Kitabayashi. “This...