The City of Culver City sent out an announcement on Feb. 6, 2023, stating “After declaring a local homelessness emergency on January 3, 2023, the City of Culver City is preparing a safe-camping site for unhoused individuals at the City-owned parking lot at 10555 Virginia Avenue (east of Overland Avenue). Construction of the safe-camping site is expected to begin in mid-February 2023, with occupancy beginning as early as March 2023.”
The Virginia Avenue site was one of several places considered by the City Council for a safe camping venue in 2021, including Bill Botts Park and the Metro Transit lot shared with the City of Los Angeles.
Culver City details that “the purpose [of the designated safe camping site ] is to provide a safe, sanitary, and service-enriched environment for unhoused residents. The site will house a maximum of 40 persons. All residents will be required to register and adhere to site-specific rules. Shelter will be provided in the City’s tents in designated spaces on site. The City will provide 24/7 security at the site, as well as services such as bathrooms, showers, laundry, recreation, lighting, trash, counseling and social services.”
The Project Homekey hotels on Sepulveda Boulevard that will provide both permanent and interim housing have seen several deadline dates pass, owing to construction issues, are currently scheduled to open for residency in March of 2023.
In addition, the City of Los Angeles has been putting resources into the ‘Safe Inside’ program, with approximately seven thousand individuals placed in hotels since Mayor Karen Bass began the initiative in December of 2022.
Judith Martin-Straw
