Relocating unhoused people living near freeways

This homeless camp is just outside a freeway overpass in Santa Monica. A federal judge has ordered that homeless encampments must be moved if they are near freeway overpasses. Photo by Amy Ta.

On Wednesday, the city and county of LA were supposed to present a plan to shelter some 7000 homeless people living near overpasses and freeways. Last week, a federal judge ordered them to find a way to do that. But Wednesday’s hearing was canceled because the two sides could not agree on a plan. The sticking point? Who’s going to pay to shelter the homeless amid massive budget shortfalls related to the pandemic? But they’re running out of time. The judge’s order is supposed to go into effect on Friday.