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Los Angeles has invested over $1 billion in homeless housing, yet many units remain unoccupied. A recent investigation revealed that several properties, acquired through California's Project Homekey initiative, are still empty. These properties, meant to provide fast, permanent shelter, have become stalled construction sites. According to Westside Current, more than 600 residences remain vacant, despite Los Angeles County's homelessness crisis.
The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, responsible for coordinating housing programs, is undergoing a major overhaul. The county has withdrawn over $300 million from the joint agency, citing mismanagement. This move, opposed by LA Mayor Karen Bass, has raised concerns about the future of homelessness programs. The CalMatters report highlights the challenges of city and county partnerships in addressing homelessness.
Despite these setbacks, some Project Homekey sites are operational, providing essential services to the homeless. The city and county continue to work towards improving the situation, with new accountability measures and a focus on efficiency. However, the gap between policy and progress remains evident as many properties sit empty while thousands remain unhoused.