This archive report was first published on 21 October 2019.
Los Angeles has seen a surge in homelessness in recent years, with thousands of people living on the streets. Despite efforts to address the issue, the problem persists, and a growing backlash from the community has emerged.
On one hand, the city has implemented measures to help the homeless, such as increasing funding for services and building new housing units. However, these efforts have been hindered by complex regulations and bureaucratic red tape.
Lucrecia Macias, a nurse who lost her home due to cancer, expressed her frustration with the situation. 'I think they care more about animals than us,' she said. 'They're making parks for dogs but they're not building housing for us.'
Josh Rubenstein, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Police Department, acknowledged the growing frustration among residents. 'There are strong, strong feelings on all sides of this issue,' he said.
Despite the efforts to address homelessness, the problem continues to worsen. In 2019, there were several high-profile violent attacks on the homeless, including a beating death on Skid Row and an intentional fire at an encampment in Eagle Rock.
Published on October 21, 2019.
