County officials removed 68 homeless residents from a South Los Angeles encampment during a recent operation.
The effort, led by L.A. County’s Pathway Home program, was conducted with the help of local agencies and the county’s sheriff and fire departments from Nov. 20-22.
The large-scale operation focused on an unincorporated area of the Florence-Firestone neighborhood where homeless residents lived in makeshift structures, tents and dilapidated RVs.
The community, according to county officials, is disproportionately affected by the homelessness crisis.
Crews worked to move 68 homeless individuals, with their cooperation, from the area and into temporary indoor housing. Workers also removed 28 inoperable or unsafe RVs.
Any leftover objects, trash, debris and furniture were cleared from the roads and sidewalks, restoring public access to the area.
“Helping over 65 individuals begin their journey to stable housing is a direct result of a shared focus on the essential outreach, services, and housing each person needs,” said Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. “Together, we must continue to urgently partner on what we know works to end homelessness: services and housing.”
“Pathway Home is a clear example of how collaborative efforts can provide real solutions to homelessness without resorting to criminalization,” said John Maceri, CEO of The People Concern. “By working together with LA County and our partners, we can offer housing and supportive services that address the root causes of homelessness. This compassionate approach helps individuals transition from the streets to permanent housing.”
The South L.A. operation marks Pathway Home’s 26th encampment removal operation.
In total, the program has moved over 900 homeless people into interim housing and nearly 600 RVs have been taken off the road.
Multiple agencies helped with the operations, including:
- Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA)
- L.A. County Sheriff’s Department and Homeless Outreach Services Team
- The People Concern (TPC), a nonprofit organization
- L.A. County Department of Mental Health
- L.A. County Department of Public Works
- L.A. County Fire Department
More information about Pathway Home can be found here.
