Pan Pacific Park was opened as an emergency shelter for homeless individuals to help mitigate the spread of coronavirus. (photo by Edwin Folven)

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced on  March 18 that thousands of emergency shelter beds have been added to help move homeless individuals indoors more quickly as part of comprehensive efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus.

“Too many Angelenos lack a basic necessity that will help most of us get through this crisis: a home,” Garcetti said. “We are taking immediate, urgent action to slow the spread of COVID-19 by helping people who are experiencing homelessness come indoors.”

Garcetti said the city will use $20 million in budget reserve funds on emergency relief efforts – such as adding 1,600 emergency shelter beds at 13 city recreation centers, and adding more locations in the coming days with more than 6,000 beds provided by the American Red Cross.

The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority will aid individuals in the homeless population enter these shelters through outreach and provide transportation there. Once individuals are sheltered, LAHSA will continue to follow-up with them in ensuring their safety and securing future housing.

Garcetti has activated the Disaster Service Worker program, which will place some city employees in temporary roles to assist at the emergency shelters as part of the plan.

“We have the finest workforce in the world – and in a moment of profound need, I am grateful to everyone who steps up to help and shows up to lead,” Garcetti said.

Shelters will be staffed 24 hours a day by recreation and parks employees, medical professionals and security guards. Meals will be provided.

Pan Pacific Park, located at 7600 Beverly Blvd. in the 4th District, and Echo Park Community Center, located at 313 Patton St. in the 1st District, are among the 13 emergency shelters Garcetti announced would open.

Los Angeles City Councilman David Ryu, 4th District, said he supports Garcetti in his effort to rapidly open shelters during the coronavirus pandemic, and would do whatever he could to make sites available.

“This is such a crucial step to stopping the spread of the virus,” Ryu said. “The day after the announcement was made, I went to Pan Pacific Park myself to thank the park employees for being a part of this solution and helping out.”

Ryu added that bringing people inside is a critical step in stopping the spread of the virus, though he thinks the city needs to go a step further and look at motels and hotels for temporary shelter, though he was pleased with the quality of assistance people will receive at the shelters.

“There are medical professionals on-site to assess everyone’s health needs, take temperatures and move people to medical care if needed,” Ryu said. “There are meals served and support staff there to help.”

The Hollywood Recreation Center, located at 1122 Cole Ave. in the 13th District, will house another shelter that is expected to open soon, said Los Angeles City Councilman Mitch O’Farrell, 13th District. He added the city has focused on the first eight emergency shelters to ensure they are filled before opening the rest.

LAHSA outreach workers are working at the sites and will continue to stay in contact with people living in the shelters.

O’Farrell said emergency shelters are following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines for social distancing. He added the facilities will make an impact, especially in Hollywood where there is a higher concentration of homelessness.

“We need more to open,” O’Farrell said. “It’s a step in the right direction.”

Barbara Ferrer, director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, has urged people to stay indoors to protect themselves and mitigate the spread of coronavirus.

Yet, there are fears and concerns from the community about bringing people together under one roof. Following CDC guidelines, as the Department of Public Health advises, it is much safer for everyone to be indoors, O’Farrell said.

Homelessness in and of itself is a public health crisis, and during this time, city officials are hoping to work in all levels of government to keep people housed permanently after the public health emergency. For now, the main priority is to shelter a vulnerable population and keep them safe.

“It’s time to come inside, eat well and get better,” O’Farrell said.