The threat of severe weather in Southern California this winter and coming spring has city leaders considering the needs of the homeless. According to lacurbed.com, Los Angeles officials are extending the dates of a regular winter “shelter crisis” designation that allows people who live in their vehicles to park on city property.
The LA Times says that the city has fairly regularly declared a “shelter crisis” from November 1 to March 31; the declaration of a shelter crisis allows for public buildings to be opened as temporary shelters. But the City Council also asked that the end date for the shelter crisis be extended “further into the spring” and didn’t set an end date
The article reports that there are 26,000 homeless people in the Los Angeles area, and with the expectation of very wet El Nino weather, it is important that the city get as many of those people off the streets as possible.
That program puts limits on the number of RVs or vehicles per parking lot, establishes permit requirements for people using the lots, and also sets up restrooms on-site.
The parking lots that will be made available are lots adjacent to “vacant municipal structures” and city parks. City leaders are also looking for additional properties where this service can be offered.
Read the article here.
