Los Angeles County officials have unveiled a controversial strategy to clear homeless encampments near Olympic venues ahead of the 2028 Summer Games, but housing advocates warn the plan lacks sufficient resources to properly address the crisis.
The county recently issued a report to local governments outlining methods for removing unhoused people from areas surrounding Olympic sports venues, with a focus on establishing "security perimeters" around key locations like SoFi Stadium and the L.A. Memorial Coliseum, according to Planetizen.
While the report emphasizes connecting displaced individuals with temporary housing, it simultaneously acknowledges critical shortfalls in available shelter beds and funding. The county faces "a significant deficit for homelessness and housing programs next fiscal year due to losses in federal, state, and other one-time funding, and cost increases," said Rachel Kassenbrock, spokesperson for L.A. County's Homeless Services and Housing Department.
The plan could potentially affect more than 5,300 unhoused people currently living in areas hosting Olympic events. Critics argue the approach prioritizes cosmetic improvements over addressing root causes of homelessness.
The county has developed a cost estimation tool for cities planning encampment removals, allowing them to calculate expenses based on the number of people affected and the percentage requiring shelter or long-term housing support.
LA28, the private nonprofit organizing the Olympics, stated that if relocations become necessary, they will "ensure that the appropriate local government stakeholders have sufficient time to plan for the necessary services and housing support."
The city of Long Beach has already expressed concerns about securing affordable motel rooms during the Olympics and warned about potential displacement of both unsheltered people and at-risk tenants.
Los Angeles has recorded two consecutive years of declining homelessness rates, but housing advocates worry that without adequate resources, the Olympic cleanup efforts could reverse this progress by simply shuffling unhoused populations around the city rather than providing lasting solutions.