A family of five adults and 13 children, including several toddlers, has been living on the streets of Westlake since September while struggling to find temporary housing.
One of the children, a young girl, skipped rope on a sidewalk on Thursday, evoking the simple innocence of youth as ABC7 interviewed her family members. That sidewalk has been their home for the past several months.
Ana Madrid said there are 18 people living in the small makeshift encampment, which is covered by a tarp. The family members, who are from Honduras, live in a small tent on Alvarado Street near MacArthur Park.
Madrid said the sidewalk is where they spent Christmas, New Year’s Eve and days in the rain.
Her husband, Jorge Luis Garcia, said his children have not been able to go to school because other children have attacked him outside.
Madrid said the family has spoken with Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, but because the family is so large it has been difficult placing them somewhere.
Madrid said they were told they have to be patient. But they have been waiting for three months, she said.