Bradley Seeks 44-Day Extension on Camp for Homeless
Mayor Tom Bradley, faced with mounting criticism from homeless activists and a legal battle with Los Angeles County, proposed Friday a 44-day extension of the city’s urban campground.
The proposal, which would postpone a legal showdown between the county and the city over care for the homeless, must be approved by the Los Angeles City Council and the Southern California Rapid Transit District, which owns the site on Santa Fe Avenue where the campground is located.
“That will give us additional time to do a number of things that are under negotiation right now for finding a permanent solution for what was a temporary campsite,” Bradley said at a City Hall press conference.
“We believe that this takes a lot of pressure off of all of us and gives us time to look carefully at both our plans for a more permanent solution.”
Revert Back
The camp, which opened in mid-June, was scheduled to close Aug. 10, when it would revert back to the RTD and displace up to 600 homeless people who have made it home since June 15.
The city opened the camp after the police started a crackdown on the sidewalk encampments of the homeless on Skid Row in June. Homeless activists criticized the city’s plans to close the camp without providing alternative shelter.
Attorney James Davis filed a lawsuit Monday on behalf of the homeless against the city, county and state, alleging that the needs of the homeless were being neglected.
The RTD, which originally wanted the site cleared by Aug. 15, will begin Metro Rail construction no later than Sept. 25, said Deputy Mayor Mike Gage.
Gage said the city had firm assurances from RTD staff members that the extension would be approved by the board of directors. However, he added, “you never know until it’s over.”
In announcing his proposal, Bradley said the county had agreed to supply increased medical, social and relief services to homeless people at the camp, all areas cited in the city’s lawsuit.
“We got an agreement today from the County of Los Angeles to do a number of things that we felt were not being done properly and adequately,” the mayor said.
He added that the county has agreed to provide care to the mentally ill, homeless families and those suspended from county general relief.
Bradley said the county had agreed to give vouchers and relax appeal procedures for people who have been disqualified for not following the relief procedures.
Attempts to reach county officials for comment were unsuccessful.
By having the county-provided services available, the campground residents will be better prepared for the camp’s eventual closure, the mayor said. Bradley hailed the city-county compromise as a co-operative effort needed to combat the homeless problem.
Meets Needs
“We think it was a major victory today,” Bradley said, “having the county doing everything that is reasonable and meets the needs we have outlined.
But the compromise will not end the city’s suit against the county, Assistant City Atty. Julie Downey said. However, the agreement will end the city’s bid for a preliminary injunction asking the court for immediate action.
City Atty. James K. Hahn, claiming that the city has spent more than $1 million providing services the county is legally obligated to provide, filed the lawsuit July 22 asking for immediate relief and the courts to force the county to comply with state law.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Mike Antonovich vowed to file a countersuit against the city’s “frivolous lawsuit.”
