LA Controller Again Calls for Using City’s Land for Homeless Housing

Los Angeles City Controller Ron Galperin attends Venice Family Clinic Hosts 37th Annual Silver Circle Gala: Honoring Ivy Kagan Bierman and Russel Tyner at Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., on March 25, 2019. John Sciulli/Getty Images for Venice Family Clinic

LOS ANGELES—Los Angeles Controller Ron Galperin urged officials on May 18 to take advantage of empty, city-owned land to house people experiencing homelessness, adding that he’s identified 26 city properties that could be used to house thousands of people.

“It is clear that more must be done right away to address the unparalleled tragedy on our streets,” said Galperin. “People across Los Angeles are suffering and dying because they lack shelter night after night, with people of color impacted disproportionately. We need more housing solutions now. Using vacant, publicly owned properties would bring thousands of people off the streets, and help them get access to health, mental health and other critical services they so badly need.”