LA Council votes to restrict homeless encampments. What you need to know

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Homeless encampments line the Venice Beach boardwalk, June 29, 2021. Photo by Zaydee Sanchez for KCRW.

Today the LA City Council approved new rules targeting people who sit, sleep and store their belongings near building entrances, freeway underpasses, parks, homeless shelters, day care centers, and other public facilities.

Those who support the ordinance say it addresses many housed people’s concerns about impassable sidewalks and encampments becoming health and safety hazards. Those against it say the restriction punishes people for being poor and will shuffle unhoused people around while doing nothing to get them off the streets.