URGENT UPDATE: Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass has successfully moved 80 individuals from a long-standing homeless encampment near the 405 Freeway into secure housing as part of her citywide initiative, the Inside Safe program. This significant transition, just completed, addresses serious public health and safety concerns that have plagued the area for nearly a decade.
In a statement released earlier today, Bass confirmed that the encampment on Cotner Boulevard has been dismantled, with city crews ensuring the area is now clean and safe. The former residents have received essential medical services and have been relocated to stable housing, marking a crucial step in the city’s ongoing battle against homelessness.
The Inside Safe program employs a human-centric approach, emphasizing outreach and trust-building. Instead of abrupt removals, city teams spend days or even months engaging with individuals living on the streets. This strategy has proven effective, with many unhoused individuals actively seeking assistance, as noted by Mayor Bass.
“My top priority has been the safety of Angelenos, and bringing unhoused Angelenos inside to return to safety and dignity is a key part of that goal,” Bass stated, underscoring the emotional weight of the initiative.
Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky expressed her gratitude for the progress made, highlighting the public safety and health challenges previously posed by the encampment. “The encampment along Cotner Boulevard posed ongoing public safety and health challenges for those living there and for the surrounding community,” she said. Yaroslavsky also pledged to work collaboratively to prevent the area from being repopulated.
This latest operation under the Inside Safe initiative marks a significant milestone in Los Angeles’ efforts to combat homelessness. With this move, thousands of Angelenos have now been housed under the program, contributing to a noticeable reduction in street homelessness over the past two years. The city is not only focused on immediate solutions but is also working on long-term strategies, including the creation of over 30,000 affordable housing units and an anti-eviction program to help prevent future homelessness.
Since declaring a state of emergency on homelessness on her first day in office, Mayor Bass has mobilized various resources, including LA4LA, aimed at building housing on City-owned land. Her administration’s comprehensive approach is demonstrating tangible progress, not just in reducing current homelessness but also in ensuring the future well-being of Los Angeles residents.
As this situation develops, the city’s commitment to addressing homelessness remains strong, with further initiatives expected to unfold in the coming weeks. Residents are encouraged to stay informed and support efforts to uplift their communities.
