The Homeless Housing Struggle
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...
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