L.A. May Allow Homeless to Sleep in Cars

Declaring a homelessness crisis, the Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday paved the way to allow people to sleep on sidewalks and temporarily live in their cars while it continues to seek ways of housing an estimated 26,000 transients.

The council directed the city attorney to draft changes to a "shelter crisis" ordinance that currently allows it to quickly provide beds for the homeless in public buildings from Nov. 1 to March 31. If approved, it would expand the program at least through the spring.

Last month, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors declared a shelter crisis amid concerns that El Niño-driven winter storms could wash out homeless encampments in riverbeds and storm drains.

In 14-0 votes, the council also ordered drafting of legal changes that would permit people to park cars and recreational vehicles overnight in city- and church-owned parking lots and would ease -- but not eliminate -- fines and criminal penalties for people who break the law by putting their personal belongings on sidewalks. A law permitting seizure of such belongings has been controversial.

All the measures require further council approval.

The city's homeless population has increased more than 10 percent over the past two years. In September, officials announced they planned to spend $100 million to eradicate homelessness. Mayor Eric Garcetti announced he would declare a state of emergency -- usually associated with earthquakes, floods and wildfires -- but the council didn't make such a declaration on Tuesday.

"While we're building the infrastructure, we're finding ways to address homelessness. We have a long way to go," said Councilman Jose Huizar, co-chair of the Homelessness and Poverty Committee. "It's going to be a long road ahead of us."

A Homelessness Strategic Plan is expected to be presented to the council in January.

Homelessness also was on the agenda Tuesday in neighboring Orange County.

The Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to buy an Anaheim warehouse and turn it into the county's first year-round homeless shelter, with 200 beds. The board authorized the $4.25 million purchase price in June.