On Thursday morning, L.A. Councilmember Eunisse Hernandez stood at Lacy Street Neighborhood Park in the shadow of the 5 and 110 freeway interchange. Just last year, she said, the Lincoln Heights park and the areas near the freeway were filled with unhoused people. But now, thanks to a $6 million state grant awarded last fall, the park is clear and dozens of people are in temporary and permanent housing.
“Today we’re here to celebrate that 59 of our neighbors, human beings, finally have a roof over their heads,” she said.
The funds were secured by Hernandez from California’s Encampment Resolution Funds, which targeted a 4-mile stretch of the 110 Freeway.
A long to-do list before housing is secured
The grant helped pay health and social workers from public and private agencies and nonprofits, including employees with USC’s California Street Collaborative…