LAists' The Brief: Hidden City Report: Controversial encampment law is failing

By Nick Gerda

Topline:

L.A. city officials have for months kept from the public a damning report, ordered by the council, that found a major homelessness enforcement policy championed by several council members has failed in its key goals to clear encampments and get people housed.

The backstory: The report looks at one of the city’s most controversial laws, a rule known as 41.18 zones. Under changes approved in 2021, council members can designate areas in their district where unhoused people cannot sit, lie down, sleep, or keep belongings on sidewalks or other public areas. People are supposed to receive advanced warning and help finding shelter before encampments are cleared.

What’s happened since: The final report obtained by LAist finds that 41.18 failed to keep the vast majority of its areas clear of encampments and was “generally ineffective” at helping people get into housing.

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