L.A. clearing homeless encampment in Little Tokyo

Los Angeles authorities on Thursday started fencing off a Little Tokyo plaza the place a rising homeless encampment proliferated through the pandemic.

“It’s been occurring throughout Little Tokyo,” mentioned Mario Correa of J-City Motion and Solidarity. “Kevin de León has been aggressive about sweeps.”

L.A. Metropolis Councilman Kevin de León’s workplace mentioned that Toriumi Plaza, on the nook of 1st and Choose John Aiso streets, is being closed for upkeep.

The motion has sparked protest from advocates, who’re combating to maintain the realm open and demanding that the homeless individuals on the plaza be linked to everlasting supportive housing.

Pete Brown, a spokesman for de León, mentioned town is offering housing alternatives for the residents of the encampment.

“Essentially the most inhumane factor we will do is to go away individuals on the streets to reside and die and to reside in squalor,” Brown mentioned. “What town is doing is offering housing alternatives for individuals to deal with with the modicum of dignity they deserve.”

The L.A. Homeless Companies Authority says they’ve helped 55 individuals on the plaza discover shelter, and linked 185 individuals to substance abuse, psychological well being, housing and COVID-19-related companies. 

However Correa mentioned individuals typically nonetheless find yourself again on the streets.

“We’ve been serving this encampment for over a 12 months now,” Correa mentioned. “We’ve seen individuals go into shelters, Venture Room Key, Bridge Residence. We’ve seen them come again out — you may get kicked out actually simply.”