Hundreds of LA homeless housing units remain vacant, report details

A new report revealed that after the city of LA shelled out $800 million to house homeless, hundreds of apartments and hotels acquired with that money is sitting empty. Westside Current reporter Jamie Paige and her team uncovered the exclusive story.
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[@bigcatauna]

and yet there's $20 billion of taxpayer money unaccounted for

[@silentmajority8365]

Democrats run the state

[@BajatheChickenMan]

lmao and theyll all still vote in the same group of folks!

[@livinghope1561]

We all need population to fill up the spaces. Population control is a lie from Bill Gates.

[@clairelivefreeordie2551]

Dude, our votes no longer matter...US now a Banana Republic ​@@BajatheChickenMan

[@shamaniworld528]

😮

[@fluffles9591]

Fraud

[@silentmajority8365]

By DNC

[@livinghope1561]

We all need population to fill up the spaces. Population control is a lie from Bill Gates.

[@tonynguyen5540]

I have a answer for you guys: CORRUPTIONS, CORRUPTIONS, CORRUPTIONS

[@livinghope1561]

We all need population to fill up the spaces. Population control is a lie from Bill Gates.

[@acajudi100]

GREED, GREED, GREED.

[@MsJaneJake]

The city is using taxpayer money to create a Real Estate Portfolio.

[@AE-sy1pn]

Bingo!

[@melindasaddler559]

Someone's pockets are full though...

[@CalvinMorris-cf8jk]

empty buildings everywhere you look and Americans sleeping out front on dirty sidewalks man talk about greed this is greed at its peak.

[@JigsawBell-rx9yb]

The city has never handled the problem the right way.

[@BajatheChickenMan]

Governments are incapable of doing the right thing. If they did, we wouldn't need government. They exist to pilfer from the citizens and stagnate progress. Corruption in it's purest form.

[@New-bw4kz]

They never intended the handle it, they just steal the money

[@user-xq6be7xi3z]

And they Never Will.

[@livinghope1561]

We all need population to fill up the spaces. Population control is a lie from Bill Gates.

[@Sunset4Semaphores]

What problem? *You own nothing and are happy!*

[@stardel]

This is the results of wicked leadership

[@livinghope1561]

We all need population to fill up the spaces. Population control is a lie from Bill Gates.

[@meh1979100]

80% of the homeless need to be 51/50’ed. Stop asking if they want shelter.

[@tishreni5183]

Not that high of a number but around 30%

[@bloodybabyface]

@tishreni5183… it’s definitely around 80%. They even started coming to my affluent neighborhood in West LA and I had to email 4 government agencies almost daily just to get 1 homeless female maniac out of my neighborhood after 10 months.

[@livinghope1561]

We all need population to fill up the spaces. Population control is a lie from Bill Gates.

[@BernardLimpet-qd8bk]

.. they want their meth, let them have them!

[@kimberlynnearazi9381]

💯

[@MRiitta]

Billions USD are being spent for the homelessness problem, yet, the problems are getting worse. Who are pocketing all that money at the end of the day?

[@rodplumb]

It's all going in gavin newsome's pocket

[@BuhodePiedra]

😂😂😂 wow. You’ve been red pilled super hard that’s sad

[@livinghope1561]

We all need population to fill up the spaces. Population control is a lie from Bill Gates.

[@jammasterjay4298]

FOS

[@melissagilbert9654]

F R A U D!!! Look at your city council members sitting in PRISON!!!

[@jmason61]

What a pathetic waste of taxpayers money....

[@Network126]

Meanwhile, I've been homeless since the pandemic and begging for housing assistance, until I finally gave up and bought an old Toyota Sienna minivan...

[@hanniballecter4454]

Maybe politicians lie.

[@LadyCalifornia]

Thats frustrating hundreds of city homes that are vacant are not being used.Millions have been spent and who is responsible to make sure these projects come to completion ?

[@mystieveil9508]

House your seniors first.

[@Fguess-qt2so]

Where can i apply to get one for my family?

[@silentmajority8365]

Enter America illegally

[@marktwaine9344]

@@silentmajority8365 no habla Anglish...

[@livinghope1561]

We all need population to fill up the spaces. Population control is a lie from Bill Gates.

[@charlesbarkely3021]

Money laundering. Can’t fix tbe problem bc then you can’t launder more

[@JustiisLeague]

What are we paying our taxes for

[@livinghope1561]

We all need population to fill up the spaces. Population control is a lie from Bill Gates.

[@First1ToComment]

Into politicians pockets

[@silentmajority8365]

Democrats running the state

[@Network126]

Meanwhile, I've been homeless since the pandemic and begging for housing assistance, until I finally gave up and bought an old Toyota Sienna minivan...

[@livinghope1561]

We all need population to fill up the spaces. Population control is a lie from Bill Gates.

[@evolunacy2]

And the problem just gets worse and worse…

[@mrtee3477]

Somebody is making money.

[@livinghope1561]

We all need population to fill up the spaces. Population control is a lie from Bill Gates.

[@blknmild]

There's no incentive to solve a problem when people will pay you unlimited amounts of money to "fix" it ...

[@Debbzvanventure]

And the problem no one talks about ADDICTION! They don’t need housing THEY NEED REHAB, MENTAL HEALTH THERAPY AND MEDS. How do you pay rent or hold a job and “get back into the system “ if you’re battling addictions and mental health problems! 🤦‍♀️clueless ignorant rich people…

[@robertafong9348]

Can she find out who okay'd the overpayments? There should be a signature on the bill of sale and that person should be fired.

[@knuclear200x]

This story started with nobody being housed, then ends with said residents wanting to leave. It's like this whole thing wasnt a solution after all

[@user-zt8me5re3k]

That's the problem with the housing first model. People with mental illness and/or drug addiction need services. Sticking them in a building doesn't solve the problem. It just puts money in the hands of developers who then give some back to the politicians. Support third political parties and Independent candidates. Let's get some of the these corrupt politicians out of office.

[@knuclear200x]

@@user-zt8me5re3k what will the 3rd parties do?

[@user-zt8me5re3k]

@@knuclear200x The parties I am supporting are focusing on local and state elections here in CA. They will provide an alternative to our current duopoly. Some of us feel we have no representation in government because we do not believe in the extreme policies on either side. The other options are to stay home and not vote or to just go along with the current corrupt and dysfunctional system.

[@knuclear200x]

@@user-zt8me5re3k so what will the 3rd parties do?

[@user-zt8me5re3k]

@@knuclear200x They can recruit candidates who have good ideas. For example, it seems like now the politicians are giving contracts to developers to build housing. Those contractors contribute to the candidates campaigns. So nothing gets done in terms of mental health care, drug addiction and homelessness. It is possible to implement good programs and write good legislation. We need better candidates, but they cannot compete within the existing parties.

[@sharonwoodin5337]

Unbelievable!!!!!! Where is the money going????🤬

[@hanniballecter4454]

Politicians and business people. If you vote, at the very least know that. Choosing the lesser of the evils has to be done most of the time, but do not be surprised.

[@tubby_1278]

Rich people are pocketing it. They ain't gonna derail their gravy train

[@charlespatrick8650]

the city is pretending to be incompetent, it's 💯 a huge grift, hope parts 2 and 3 follow the money, bet it connects to friends/relatives of city politicians and political appointees 💰💰💰

[@loripatton2488]

Insanity

[@silentmajority8365]

By the DNC

[@livinghope1561]

We all need population to fill up the spaces. Population control is a lie from Bill Gates.

[@clairelivefreeordie2551]

This story is HUGE! Needs to go viral...corruption *EVERYWHERE*! I'm tired just trying to keep up with it all!

[@skiandcomment]

Why is it so hard to hold any politicians accountable for their failures?

[@apllu17]

And yet this November L.A city wants us to vote on comendeering empty hotel rooms so that the owners are left stuck. The city can't fill housing they can't maintain or secure ongoing upkeep.

[@livinghope1561]

We all need population to fill up the spaces. Population control is a lie from Bill Gates.

[@jamesr1703]

What about the government official with the title, something like, Executive Director of Housing Challenged Individuals", who makes $350,000 a year? She has every reason to keep the homeless problem alive. Job security for her.

[@MrBrownnn696]

THIS MAKES ME SO ANGRY !!!!!!!!!!!!

[@melissagilbert9654]

Sounds like a city racquet!!!

[@Sergio-si4oj]

I need a room

[@rooflessr]

Same

[@sting114]

White collar crime. Where’s Eric garcetti?!?

[@lawrencesmith835]

He s in India. He feels at home considering how that country looks

[@livinghope1561]

We all need population to fill up the spaces. Population control is a lie from Bill Gates.

[@mwatercress]

It is all over the state not just LA. There is a 30 unit hotel near me that was purchased and sits vacant though it was a turnkey operation. And one of the earlier conversions that happened in my community has turned into a homeless camp with walls and a roof (murders, ODs, drug dealing , hording...) . Housing first has turned into housing only and too often the housing isn't sheltering anyone.

[@DaveBoswell-lz3kc]

Homelessness is all over the United States

[@mwatercress]

@@DaveBoswell-lz3kc Yes it is but California has 11% of the population of the USA and 30%-40% of the homeless population. California increased spending on the problem at unprecedented rates and watch the numbers grow worse.

[@dons3073]

You can save lots of money being houseless

[@Thrvsh]

cant imagine the stench and the drug deals in that place

[@moicrux7112]

Smells like curruption 😮

[@michellew2172]

I will not be voting for another fn cent of money for homelessness.

[@DaveBoswell-lz3kc]

But you're okay with our money going to Israel or Ukraine😂😂😂😂. You snob nosed assh0les really believe your jobs and money is so secure it'll never happen to you but keep dreaming

[@lvanasse2]

Put the seniors on social security living in cars into these empty homes.

[@iSeeTicks]

Goodjob wasting our tax money on these homeless folks...most of then doesn't even want to be helped or they will just turn these places into their drug house.

[@RebeccaIngram-yr3dz]

Probably for illegals. And you don't no where these folks have been or mentally ill. That was bull crap statement.

[@Dwn2Race]

Didn’t waste it… they Stole It! From your Pockets to theirs!

[@Network126]

We're not all on drugs dude... Some of us actually work and contribute to society... I was probably your Uber/Lyft ride to that important flight or doctor appointment... Or Instacart delivery man...

[@RickiHockersmith83]

Smells like corruption. The money goes to the politician pocket.

[@UncleDavesKitchen]

Great reporting. I'm sad but not surprised. Can't wait to see who the state sells the buildings to at a discount price.

[@axidhaus]

You can’t spell “asshole” without L A

[@PauloHernandezXD]

True lol

[@livinghope1561]

We all need population to fill up the spaces. Population control is a lie from Bill Gates.

[@Ann-hm7gj]

Haha

[@LCx829]

This city is broken.

[@silentmajority8365]

BY DNC

[@jg1469]

Meanwhile, those of us working our butts off to pay our bills are competing with one another to find our own housing in Southern California!???.... totally criminal.

[@user-ow3xu3go1g]

Why do they act so stupid and not have these open for homeless?

[@JOHNSMITH-dc6lr]

Fraudulent spending, ppl need to go to prison

[@furleyforever]

Mental health is the main issue. Homelessness is just one symptom of that issue. If you just treat the symptoms you'll never get rid of the actual ailment. These people need treatment and care, not another place for them to take their drug habit and spiral downward even further. Saying that, there are still qualified homeless families and individuals that need housing so I don't understand having an excess of these housing units. There's should be none available at this point. They should be using these housing units for people trying to improve their situation ...not for enabling others to continue their bad habits.

[@Ann-hm7gj]

Yes many just can't maintain high end housing.

[@48laws45]

Politicians and realtors PAYING THEMSELVES

[@seanhibbeler]

Financial planning, akin to navigation, requires knowing your destination. James Clark's guidance provides clarity in uncertain markets..

[@korkyket]

With Bitcoin ETFs on the rise, there's talk of the price hitting $100k. Is now the time to invest my $500k cash savings, or am I too late to maximize profits?

[@RobsonSilva-cs2he]

I recently sold half my tech stock holdings due to all-time highs, leaving me with $400k. Should I invest in ETFs now or wait for a market correction considering potential inflation?

[@AseoLimpieza]

Successful investment starts with clear goals and risk assessment, often best done with a financial advisor's help.

[@seanhibbeler]

Celebrating a $30k stock portfolio today from a $6k start. Investing wisely has given me time for family and future plans.

[@AseoLimpieza]

James Clark's market insights have consistently led to profitable decisions.

[@rodplumb]

Give the Middle working class people a place to stay.The homeless will just be almost forever on the drugs.

[@Network126]

We're not all on drugs dude... Some of us actually work and contribute to society... I was probably your Uber/Lyft ride to that important flight or doctor appointment... Or Instacart delivery man...

[@tlsthoughts]

They're still people and deserve a roof over their heads! What kind of heartless bastard are you to say some crap like this? NOT every homeless person is on drugs or alcohol and you need to stop being so judgemental! 🤬

[@hanniballecter4454]

Youre taking these politicians at face value. Regular families are lucid and can defend themselves. They want to choose those at the very edge of life to steal, the homeless cannot defend themselves. And aside from the drug addicts, there are thousands upon thousands if homeless people that have never done drugs, and life railroaded them.they may have had their families murdered, so u cant parrot the "druggie" excuse to write them all off.remember its politicians and business people stealing,nusing the homeless as an excuse.

[@loveis1111]

There are people in very high places, doctors and nurses who are on drugs. They just hide it better. We don't know how or why people end up in certain situations, but they are still human. Show mercy the way GOD shows You mercy. Have a blessed day 😇.

[@loveis1111]

​@@Network126Have a blessed day ❤️😇.

[@ytr8989]

Did they expect homeless people to pay high-end rent? 😂

[@Ann-hm7gj]

I feel like alot of people don't fit the scope of LA or the cycle of their lives ended. I'm rolling my eyes seriously some people are delusional.

[@truthbefacts]

Disgusting.

[@javee-th5no]

Wow ALL THIS MONEY FORM TAX PAYERS nd the HOMELESS ISSUE HADN'T CHANGED 1 BIT!! WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING!

[@DaveBoswell-lz3kc]

First start getting rehab centers and psychiatric hospitals open again. As for the families and those with jobs that are unable to afford rent these empty housing units should be available for them.

[@greggreg2263]

Absolutely ridiculous I will come down there and manage the money myself😸

[@doneown503]

, pretty crazy the underhandedness going on in so many municipalities , Not Just Here !

[@juanc711]

Im skeptical of this story, there's a disconnect somewhere between these buildings and the people who need them 🤔

[@FearMongeringSells]

Y'all wanted Karen Bass

[@silentmajority8365]

Y'all wanted diversity

[@axidhaus]

I want diversity and merit not just diversity to spite people who worked hard for merits

[@melissagilbert9654]

You still don’t get it!!!

[@welcome_to_the_collapse]

How many more billions of dollars are we going to waste on these people?

[@forgottenman8629]

if there one thing that's been proven by cities and states the more $$ spent on bums the more bums choose that lifestyle...

[@darlenemestas5839]

The Section 8 lists that opened have never even housing given when it was said there were funds and so many would be housed right of the bat if they qualified. No list has moved in about a year. San diego was the only one who admitted once they opened and closed it recently that the finds were redirected to illegals and there was no section 8 like they thought. Im disabled and they didnt even do that group or vets. The smallest receipent groups for section 8. Trust me im irrate that social security is still what it is. Non realistic amounts like what we can save. Then you got illegals getting everything under the sun. I only get food ebt and not the max. But they get everything and the kitchen sink. We have a homeless problem not just because of empty units and money laundering but because illegals are prioritized above the US homeless population and other groups.

[@SeanWork]

Why don't you link to the report? All I see is the same 3 pictures being replayed of I'm assuming 3 apartment buildings?

[@alesiav.4114]

Housing is only half the problem this is a mental health issue.

[@user-iq3th6ff6q]

Sounds fishy. Who owns the properties? Follow the money.

[@brettcrawford8878]

Extreme financial incompetence?

[@michah7214]

When you put the difficult to house in a building with other difficult ti house people, things get exponentially worse inside the building. Unfortunately even if the majority are nice people who need affordable housing

[@NoManClatuer-pd8ck]

Not just Los Angeles

[@profwriteteacher9887]

Part of the problem is the restrictions that are placed on people who receive benefits because it comes from the government. They’re not allowed to have a drug problem or a drinking problem they cannot bring pets. And while some may say they should just quit having an addiction is not something that one can simply quit otherwise, no one could be an addict or an alcoholic also, many homeless people have pets because they’re lonely and other people human beings don’t talk to them anymore and so they’re trying to survive with an animal that’s giving them some love but they can’t take the animal into the shelter with them so they choose to stay with the only friend they have

[@jparkjc]

bunch of crooks in charge

[@lbaker3602001]

Do you know why the mafia isn't around anymore? Mafia couldn't compete with governments 'low ball' tactics'.

[@shamaniworld528]

No Hope In The Valley, The Westside, C.E.S, And SoCal City Executive Leadership😢

[@Manuelabor1978]

Some like it on the streets. Also, most shelters or programs require you not use any drugs. Most rather get high, live off handouts and live on streets. They should fix our infrastructure. Freeways and surface streets. Potholes ect

[@DaveBoswell-lz3kc]

And most have jobs but can't afford a $2500 a month apartment. unit but rich assh0les like you would straight up ignore that issue or the fact we have greedy landlords and investments firms.

[@KawakebAstra]

needs DEEP investigative journalism ✅

[@lowlifetrent959]

"its not safe here lady, come with me I'll show you around."

[@citticat2]

Creating the crises, requesting the funding, getting the funding, and pocketing the funding.

[@andreahawkins5890]

What a huge flakey mess

[@Jonathan-jc1ko]

What about us who actually want better im a father of 3 myself and they're mother need help and we can't get it anywhere it's very disheartening

[@MuzicTunes-lk6np]

They're vacant units in our condo complex. No one has lived in some of those units in years, yet you see homeless people sleeping in our hallways & surrounding areas. Homeless begging for money is the new norm & I just got used to it. Luckily, most of them are harmless. Of course, this is the new sign of the times. 😢

[@tubby_1278]

The homeless wanna be left ALONE!!

[@aaronmcpeakofficial6256]

so that they can be dysfunctional

[@bloodybabyface]

@tubby_1278 Leave them alone so they can harass kids and everyone else in the neighborhood.

[@shayan4040]

The Bums don’t want a homeless shelter. They can’t get high and drunk there.

[@Ann-hm7gj]

It's not a joke. There's truth in what you just said. ​@@aaronmcpeakofficial6256

[@Ann-hm7gj]

​@@bloodybabyfacenah People still serve they can get out of people's way.

[@sickbox.sickbox]

I am sure it will work if we spend another 80 billion 😂

[@TheMilpitasguy]

which city department is supposed to be overseeing the placement of homeless folks into these bldgs and what do they have to say about the selection process?

[@ID_iKONIC_VIP]

And they want more Billions for the Homeless initiative 😂

[@ShayKMBR]

Drop the addresses! There won't be a single empty room if you do!!!

[@ev500sam]

Maybe the taxpayers should move in.

[@jeanf8998]

What’s happening?

[@user-nf8ke1rf2u]

Huge huge money laundry business

[@ryanchinh1040]

Government need to stop giving money to shelter owners just go buy building and let the homeless people live in that solve homeless problem.

[@andyleo8418]

Never let the government do anything.

[@Mlogan11]

Instead of buying market rate homes and wasting money they should have just built public housing on state owned land.

[@christopherkuta9871]

So are they going to do anything what's the problem

[@BuhodePiedra]

And the hard working middle class that is now in poverty can’t afford a 1br apartment. Time for programs and detention centers for these sorts and to help people who are healthy contributing members of society.

[@rhondadavis4285]

They should give one or more to the veterans first!

[@Eddy45639]

Recall!!!!

[@Deb-by7no]

No we dont. Not us. Yes California. Working on sovereignty

[@ajourney50]

Start asking who is profiting from this. And maybe vote according.

[@user-xq6be7xi3z]

Thank for letting us know. The money need to Stop . 😂

[@ritar6769]

Wait a minute….. so she went to some that were occupied, but it wasn’t even safe for her to enter these apartments without an escort and there was destruction…. So those that are living next-door, why would they want to live near that low income or turnkey project? Those are really nice buildings. The city knows good and well if they put low income or homeless people in those buildings, the residents are going to be up in arms , this woman couldn’t even walk through solo so just imagine

[@38NDY]

Thank you Jamie Paige. Flagrant waste.