Coronavirus Update: Emergency Shelters at Recreation Centers - Message from Mike Bonin

As our city responds to the spread of coronavirus, we will be providing periodic email bulletins, summarizing and sharing important news and information.

Today's second bulletin of the day includes information on the Mayor's order instructing the use of 42 city facilities to temporarily house people experiencing homelessness. Please let us know if there is particular information it would be helpful for us to provide.

Dear Friends,

As part of a continuing effort to halt the spread of the coronavirus, Mayor Eric Garcetti has ordered the use of 42 city facilities to temporarily house people experiencing homelessness. Five of those facilities are on the Westside.
 
The temporary shelter at the Westwood Recreation Center will open as soon as later today. In the coming days, shelters are expected to open at the Westchester Recreation Center, the Pacific Palisades Recreation Center, the Oakwood Recreation Center, and the Cheviot Hills Recreation Center. All of these sites are designated emergency centers used in the case of natural disasters, such as fires and earthquakes. Additionally, the emergency winter shelter at the West LA Armory will remain open until at least April 20.
 
These actions are happening while Governor Gavin Newsom works to implement a plan to house the unhoused in hotels and motels across the state. Under the plan, the state would lease the property and local counties would control the operations. According to the governor's office, they have identified 950 sites in 53 counties.