Homeless advocates have reached a significant settlement with the City of Los Angeles today. According to the Los Angeles Times, The City and homeless advocates have come to an agreement that would in effect void a 1968 law that prohibits people from sleeping on sidewalks.
The agreement will allow people to sleep on the sidewalks between 9 P.M. and 6 A.M. as long as they don't block access to doorways or driveways. The deal also says that the City can enforce the 1968 law if and only if 1,250 units of supportive housing for the homeless are built. City officials don't believe that will happen for at least three to five years.
While this is not an ideal situation for anyone, this agreement will hopefully spur the City to begin work on the housing units. And also hopefully stop criminalizing homelessness.