Homelessness crisis spurs recall effort against Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti

[DonViejo]

JUNE 20, 2019 / 7:15 AM / AP

Mayor Eric Garcetti didn't create the homeless crisis in Los Angeles, but he owns it. The two-term Democrat who not long ago flirted with a presidential run has been besieged by complaints about homeless encampments that have gotten so widespread he's facing a potential recall campaign.

The low-key mayor who in 2016 helped convince voters to borrow $1.2 billion to construct housing for the homeless has found himself in an awkward position — explaining why the problems have only gotten worse.

Figures released earlier this month showed a 16% jump in Los Angeles' homeless population over the last year, pegging it at 36,300 — the size of a small city.

That's no surprise to anyone who lives or works downtown, where tents crowd sidewalks within sight of City Hall and the stench of urine fills the air.

The homeless crisis has become "a state of emergency," said Alexandra Datig, who is leading the recall effort.

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https://www.cbsnews.com/news/homelessness-crisis-spurs-recall-effort-against-los-angeles-mayor-eric-garcetti/

[SunSeeker]

1. Homelessness is a national problem. It is too big for a city to fix.

Even a big city like LA. The homeless in LA come from all over the country. They come here because they know they won't freeze to death, and CA has better social services than a lot of states. Downtown LA has a lot of feeding programs, etc.

[The Figment]

2. Not to sound cliche but,

Homeless people have no choice but to go where the weather fit their clothes.

[superpatriotman]

3. So where is the $1.2 billion?

You can do a lot of good with that kind of scratch