This video exposes the harsh reality of homeless sweeps in Los Angeles, specifically on Skid Row. The footage shows how homeless individuals are given just ten minutes to gather their belongings before they are thrown away by LA Sanitation. Sanitation workers and LAPD mostly just stood around, and no outreach or support services were available to help people.
Homeless sweeps are a waste of money, costing Los Angeles taxpayers $70 million a year, that could be better spent on providing real solutions for homelessness, such as housing and support services. The growing number of homeless people in Los Angeles highlights the need for a more compassionate and effective approach. Pushing homeless individuals from one area to another does nothing to address the root causes of homelessness and makes it harder for outreach workers to connect them with the help they need.
If you live in Los Angeles, here is a link for the City Council contact information broken down by district. Please reach out to your legislators to demand they stop the sweeps.
Nationally, please support Housing Not Handcuffs
We all must advocate for more housing and support services and stop homeless sweeps at the local level. At the same time, we must continue to pressure state and federal legislators. Your voice can help end homelessness. If we do not fix the affordable housing crisis, homelessness will worsen.
Click here to tweet, email, call, or Facebook your federal and state legislators to tell them ending homelessness and creating more affordable housing is a priority to you.
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