A South Los Angeles homeless shelter operated by Urban Alchemy was contracted to provide 88 beds. A spot inspection found 44 platforms without tents, leaving half of the reported beds unused according to the Los Angeles Times.
The site is located in the parking lots next to the Lincoln Theater on South Central Avenue. It opened in 2022 under Project Homekey. The contract value was $3.1 million, later reduced to $2.3 million for the 2024–25 fiscal year after budget reduction notices in April 2024. The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) renewed the contract at 88 beds in May, then revised the contract to $1.2 million for 46 spaces effective July.
Court-appointed special master Michele Martinez inspected the site in June and observed tents on one lot and 44 empty platforms on the other. She reported the discrepancy to the city. During a court hearing, U.S. District Judge David O. Carter asked city attorneys why the capacity numbers were not verified.
LAHSA Commissioner Justin Szlasa visited the site in May 2025 during a review of $400 million in proposed homeless-services contracts. He reported documents showing Urban Alchemy was paid $2.3 million, while the average occupancy was 35 people per night, calculating the cost at $186 per person per night…