UPDATE: A federal court judge has issued an urgent warning regarding the City of Los Angeles’ ongoing failure to address its homelessness crisis, amid allegations of significant delays in fulfilling a crucial settlement agreement. During a hearing on November 1, 2023, U.S. District Judge David Carter expressed mounting frustration over the city’s lack of cooperation, as highlighted by the L.A. Alliance for Human Rights.
Judge Carter emphasized that the city has exhibited a “consistent lack of cooperation” in providing necessary documentation, only complying when forced by court orders or media scrutiny. This concern follows a June 2023 order where the judge noted that the city has failed to meet critical milestones outlined in the settlement, which aims to provide 12,915 shelter beds by June 2027.
The hearing revealed that administrative issues, compounded by disputes over attorney fees, have hindered progress in the long-standing case, prompting Judge Carter to schedule an evidentiary hearing for November 19, 2023. Although the judge did not declare a breach of the settlement agreement, he has previously appointed a federal monitor to oversee the city’s compliance.
The L.A. Alliance filed their lawsuit in March 2020, accusing city officials of inadequate action towards the homelessness crisis. A settlement reached in September 2023 mandated the county to provide an additional 3,000 mental health and substance abuse treatment beds by the end of next year, alongside 450 new board-and-care beds. However, subsequent filings indicated that the city has failed to uphold its obligations, with ongoing disputes about the actual number of shelter beds created.
Judge Carter’s findings echo concerns from an independent audit revealing that the city’s homeless response system is plagued by outdated practices and insufficient accountability. The audit, conducted by Alvarez & Marsal, reported a lack of verification regarding the city’s claimed sheltered beds. This raises alarm bells as the city still needs to create over 3,800 beds to meet its targets, with plaintiffs arguing that the system is “irreparably broken.”
As the judge stated in his extensive order, “When the system fails, people die. And when it works — even slowly — lives are saved.” The urgency of the situation cannot be overstated, as the court has mandated quarterly hearings to ensure the city adheres to its commitments.
The implications of this ongoing legal battle extend far beyond the courtroom, affecting thousands of Angelenos facing homelessness. The judge noted that failures in transparency and accountability have eroded public trust in the system. As the court continues to monitor the situation, the community remains anxious for tangible results in addressing this critical humanitarian crisis.
Moving forward, all eyes will be on the upcoming evidentiary hearing, where further developments may shed light on the city’s compliance—or lack thereof—with the settlement agreement. The public is urged to stay informed as this pressing issue unfolds, with the potential to impact many lives across Los Angeles.
