Los Angeles homelessness

Family Demands Answers After Mother’s Body Found Eaten by Dogs at LA Homeless Encampment

Lucrecia Macias Barajas, a 46-year-old Army veteran and mother of six, was found deceased in a Los Angeles homeless encampment, her body discovered by her daughter after being attacked by dogs. The family blames city officials for inaction despite numerous 311 complaints regarding the encampment’s dangerous conditions since 2018. While city officials emphasize a compassionate approach focusing on housing and support services, the family argues this approach is insufficient and demands more aggressive encampment clearing. The cause of death for Barajas and another individual found nearby remains under investigation.

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Judge Furious Over Missing LA Homeless Spending Data

In an ongoing audit of Los Angeles’s homeless spending, Judge David O. Carter expressed frustration over the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority’s (LAHSA) failure to provide necessary data. The judge emphasized that a lack of documentation indicates a lack of work and pressed LAHSA to expedite its reporting, operating on his timeline instead of its own. The absence of data hinders efforts to assess the effectiveness of public funds in addressing homelessness, a central concern of a lawsuit brought by the LA Alliance for Human Rights. The judge warned of potential sanctions, including the appointment of a receiver to oversee homeless services, if compliance is not achieved.

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