July 6, 2025 #1 Local News, Information and Event Source for the Century City/Westwood areas.

LAHSA Report Exposes Failures of Anti-Camping Ordinance, Allegedly Kept Secret Since November

City Controller and Council Members Speak Out Against Withheld Report 

LA City Controller Kenneth Meija posted comments on social media about an unreleased report fromthe Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) that was kept secret and has recently come to light, as was reported by The LAist. This report highlights the ineffectiveness of the City of Los Angeles’ anti-camping ordinance in addressing homelessness.  

Meija outlined the issues that the report details in a thread on Twitter and concluded, “Criminalizing homelessness is not the way we’re going to solve homelessness; if anything, it just makes it worse. Also, the City sitting on these reports just creates more distrust of the City government.”

The anti-encampment law, Ordinance 41.18 (LAMC 41.18), has been highly touted as the solution to homeless camping in public places by several City Council members. 

City Council member Hugo Soto-Martinez said on social media, in response to the LAist article, “We *still* have not officially received this report, but here’s what we know: Encampments swept with 41.18 nearly always return. We spend A LOT of $$ on this ineffective criminalization of homelessness. People swept in 41.18 operations almost never receive shelter or housing.”

This report was ordered by the City Council nearly a year ago and has allegedly been finished since November, but it has not been released to the City Council and the public. Very few people have seen it, but a copy was provided to the LAist by a trusted source. 

The findings reveal shortcomings in housing unhoused individuals and preventing their return to encampments in designated 41.18 zones.

Criminalizing homelessness, as per the report, exacerbates the issue without providing a meaningful solution. Out of 1,856 unhoused individuals in 41.18 zones, only 0.1% were placed in permanent housing, and 7.7% found interim housing. The report suggests that using 41.18 sweeps for housing initiatives is ineffective.

Concerns arise regarding the prevention of encampment returns in 41.18 zones, as 81% of the 174 encampments subjected to 41.18 sweeps witnessed the return of individuals who were previously living there. Additionally, 77% reported repopulation from other encampments, questioning the ordinance’s efficacy in maintaining clear zones.

The report also points out various issues:

  • A significant majority (93.5% of unhoused individuals) were actively working with outreach workers for housing before the 41.18 ordinance was enacted.
  • Encampment sweeps can disrupt service pathways for unhoused individuals, leading to potential disconnection with service providers after displacement.
  • Distrust of service providers may develop among unhoused individuals, impacting their willingness to accept services after being forced to move.
  • Encampment sweeps may result in a loss of identification and documentation crucial for ongoing services and eventual housing.

The report emphasizes that LAMC 41.18, as currently written, lacks provisions for additional housing resources before or during enforcement operations. In 2023, there were 1,912 41.18-related arrests, marking a substantial 124% increase from 853 in 2022. The report underscores the need for a reevaluation of the ordinance’s effectiveness and a comprehensive approach to addressing the homelessness crisis.

According to the LAist, this report was not given to Nithya Raman, Los Angeles City Councilmember for the 4th District and head of the City Council’s housing and homelessness committee, until Wednesday, February 28, despite having been finished in November of 2023.

Related Posts

Michael Madsen, Star of Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill, Dies at 67 in Malibu

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Actor Remembered for His Intense Performances and as a Poet  Actor Michael Madsen, known for his distinctive gravelly voice and...

Los Angeles City Council Cracks Down on ‘Disaster Tours’ in Pacific Palisades

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

City Council Bans Commercial Bus Tours in Burn Zone Amid Community Backlash Tour buses that have been operating in fire-ravaged...

Tow Truck Scammers Target Crash Victims Across L.A.: Authorities Warn of Fraud at Accident Scenes

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Officials Urge Drivers to Stay Alert After Collisions as Rogue Operators Demand Inflated Fees  Motorists involved in vehicle accidents are...

Woman Dies After Melrose Store Altercation: LAPD Launches Homicide Investigation

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Critically Injured Young Woman Died July 2, After She was Badly Beaten at Work  The death of a woman critically...

CHP Officer Dies in Culver City Crash: Medical Emergency Suspected Behind Tragic Incident

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

Officer lost consciousness while transporting a suspect before crashing into a tree California Highway Patrol Officer Miguel Cano died early...

L.A. Beaches Brace for Holiday Rush: Over 1 Million Visitors Expected This Fourth of July

July 4, 2025

July 4, 2025

County Officials Urge Beachgoers to Pack Out Their Trash and  Monitor Water Quality More than one million visitors are expected...

(Video) A visit to New York Bagel & Deli in Santa Monica

July 3, 2025

July 3, 2025

Authentic NY Style Bagels with Extra Creamy Cream Cheese and Multi-Cultural Desserts. Located at 2216 Wilshire Blvd. A visit to...

Hot Dogs & Rosé: Something About Her and The Culver Hotel Roll Out Summer Specials

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Westside Venues to Serve Playful Bites and Seasonal Sips For the Holiday Weekend A bold new offering is making its...

NeueHouse Hosts Bold One-Night Dinner With Culinary Phenomenon Diego Argoti

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Acclaimed Chef Brings Culinary Mischief With a Five-Course Tasting Experience. NeueHouse Hollywood will host an exclusive, one-night-only dining event on...

(Video) Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Go To Homefrontbuild.com For More Information @home_front_build Legacy, Reimagined: Architecture, Design & Construction by Home Front Build Los Angeles Go...

405 Crash Near the Getty Sends Three to Hospital: Two Seriously Hurt Near Site Where LAPD Sgt. Died

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

Early Morning Multi-Vehicle Collision Shut Down Lanes Near Brentwood Three men were injured and traffic was snarled for hours following...

Elephants Take Over Beverly Hills: Global Art Exhibit Makes Final Stop at Beverly Gardens Park

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Traveling Installation of Life-Size Sculptures Crafted by Indigenous Artisans Arrives in Beverly Hills Life-size sculptures of Indian elephants have arrived...

Pentagon Orders Troop Drawdown in LA: 150 National Guard Members Reassigned to Wildfire Duty

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Federal Forces Begin Partial Withdrawal From Protest Response as California Leaders Push Back U.S. Northern Command announced Tuesday that 150...

California Highway Patrol Deploys for Independence Day Enforcement Surge

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

All Available Officers to Hit California Highways for Holiday Weekend As Californians gear up for Fourth of July festivities, the...

Court Postpones Arraignment for Driver in Malibu Crash That Killed Four Students

July 1, 2025

July 1, 2025

Fraser Michael Bohm Faces Murder Charges in Fatal PCH Wreck  The arraignment for Fraser Michael Bohm, the 23-year-old man accused...