June 6, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

L.A. Agency Applies For Record Amount of Grants to Help the Homeless

Latest homeless issue news. (Thinkstock)
Latest homeless issue news. (Thinkstock)

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority announced Friday it has applied for a record $110 million in federal grants to fund housing and services for the homeless.

The application made Thursday came one day before today’s deadline and two days after the City Council adopted changes to a law that critics say criminalizes the homeless.

Peter Lynn, director of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, told the council on Tuesday that city laws criminalizing homelessness could hurt the agency’s chances for the more than $100 million in funding, which is needed by the joint city and county agency to renew existing services and set up new programs.

Lynn said the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development indicated the decision on allocating the grants would be partially dependant on an applicant’s ability to show steps are being taken to prevent the criminalization of the homeless.

“Significant amounts of our federal renewal funding are at risk if we pursue a course that HUD has stated an opposition to,” Lynn said.

Lynn urged the City Council council to change the law known at 56.11 that makes it a misdemeanor to store personal property in public areas, and could disproportionately affect those who are homeless and have no choice but to set up encampments or keep their belongings on sidewalks.

“We would strongly encourage the council not adopt … or to eliminate … elements of ordinances that would criminalize homelessness,” Lynn told the City Council.

“I do think that the ordinance in front of you significantly does reduce that,” he added, referring to the proposed changes to 56.11.

The City Council on Tuesday adopted those changes, which still must be drafted by the City Attorney’s Office and return for a council final vote.

The revisions would no long make merely having tents or keeping items on sidewalks crimes.

Instead, criminal penalties and fines would only apply if a person impedes or prevents law enforcement and city officials from removing the items, or if the person is illegally dumping, or abandoning trash on the street or sidewalk.

Mayor Eric Garcetti told City News Service on Thursday that he is “pleased with what they (the City Council) did, and I’ve expressed that to HUD as well.”

Councilman Jose Huizar, who co-chairs the Homelessness and Poverty Committee, and represents a district that includes downtown Los Angeles, told City News Service in a statement that the city “worked very hard to balance the city’s responsibility to keep our sidewalks passable for all stakeholders with the needs and rights of individuals experiencing homelessness.”

Huizar said the amended ordinance “clearly reduces penalties and gives options to individuals experiencing homelessness, and I’m hopeful that HUD will recognize our efforts.”

Huizar’s co-chair, Marqueece Harris-Dawson, said some “important questions” remain about how the law would actually be carried out.

Harris-Dawson said City Council members will work with the city sanitation and police departments “to clarify the divisions of responsibility among them, and to ensure that individuals are given a reasonable opportunity to comply with the regulation, but also an opportunity to keep and store their belongings.”

However, some advocates for the homeless contend that even with the amendments, the law could still criminalize homelessness.

Eric Ares, an organizer with the Los Angeles Community Action Network, a group that has pressed the city to repeal 56.11, argued that even without criminal penalties, laws could still unduly punish the homeless if they are enforced disproportionately on those who are homeless and “make lives harder through no fault of their own.”

Related Posts

(Video) See How CO2 Laser Treatment Removes Wrinkles and Scars

June 5, 2025

June 5, 2025

To Book an Appointment, Go to Mirrormirrormedspa.com To Book an Appointment, Go to https://t.co/bRbXYRnypq pic.twitter.com/SrDuMY9K2Q — Westside Today (@WestsideLAToday) June...

Film Review: Dangerous Animals

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

By Dolores Quintana There’s nothing quite like a good shark horror movie, especially since we are heading into summer. With...

Erewhon and LGBTQ Singer Kali Uchis Serve Summer Smoothie for a Good Cause

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

The Sincerely Smoothie Blends Passionfruit, Pitaya, and Malk Coconut Milk LGBTQ singer Kali Uchis has teamed up with Erewhon to...

Levain Bakery and Wanderlust Creamery Team Up for a Sweet Cause This Saturday

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

Lily Rosenthal and Chef Mason Royal Host a Cookie & Ice Cream Celebration Larchmont’s Levain Bakery will host a community...

Vietnamese Street Food Pop-Up ‘Little C’ Returns to Crustacean for Limited Lunch Series

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

After a Sold-Out Debut, the Fan-Favorite Phở-Forward Concept Reopens  Following a sold-out debut, the Vietnamese street food concept “Little C”...

Fogo de Chão Unveils Fiery Off-Menu Cocktail, the Paper Flame

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

Tequila-Based Drink Features a Dramatic Tableside Presentation Fogo de Chão has unveiled its first-ever secret cocktail, the Paper Flame, an...

Marelle Launches ‘The Guest List’ With Renowned Chefs and Friends Alan Wong and Raphael Lunetta

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

Santa Monica’s New Chef Series Debuts With a Culinary Celebration of California and Hawaiian Flavors Marelle, a coastal dining destination...

Culver City’s Citizen Public Market Launches Summer Lineup of Food and Art

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

From Brats to Biryani: Citizen Public Market Unveils Fantastic New Flavors  Culver City’s Citizen Public Market is rolling out a...

(Video) Some of the Damage Caused By Vandals at Malibu High School Overnight

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

40 to 50 people, who are suspected to be students or recent alumni, used eggs, flour, and markers to deface...

Biggest Night of the Year: Don’t Miss GMCLA’s ‘Dancing Queens’

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Culminating its 46th season, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles will grace the crowd with Dancing Queens, celebrating iconic...

Pluto TV and Oscar-Winning Director Sean Baker Team Up to Host Free Weekend Screenings

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Popcorn Challenge Interactive Event Set for Westfield Century City Mall  The historic Gardena Cinema, one of the last single-screen, family-operated...

Former ‘Real Housewives’ Husband Sentenced to Over 7 Years for $15 Million Client Fraud 

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Federal Judge Rejects Plea for Medical Placement, Orders Restitution and Prison Time Disgraced former attorney Tom Girardi was sentenced Tuesday...

Carjacking Suspect Arrested After Police Chase Ends in Crash in Inglewood

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Suspect Was Wanted for an Armed 2023 Carjacking in Culver City Wanted on multiple felony charges stemming from a 2023...

Malibu High Targeted in Overnight Vandalism Spree; Investigation Underway

June 3, 2025

June 3, 2025

Destruction on Campus Prompts Sheriff’s Probe; Students May Face Charges Vandals caused extensive damage to the school property of Malibu...

A Season of Gratitude: After One Year in Business, Urban Jungle Continues Making its Mark

June 2, 2025

June 2, 2025

Over the last year, Urban Jungle, an indoor and tropical plants nursery, has continued its mission to cultivate a place...