Federal judge orders LA to pay more than $1.8M under homelessness settlement
A federal judge ordered Los Angeles to pay over $1.8 million in fees to organizations that sued over the city’s handling of the homelessness crisis.Summary
A federal judge has mandated that Los Angeles pay more than $1.8 million in attorneys’ fees and costs to the L.A. Alliance for Human Rights and other organizations following a lawsuit alleging an inadequate response to the city’s homelessness crisis. The L.A. Alliance, comprised of business owners and residents, initially sued in 2020, seeking increased shelter provisions for unhoused individuals.
The judge found the city breached its 2022 settlement agreement by failing to provide a concrete plan for creating the promised 12,915 shelter beds by 2027 and by submitting inaccurate data. The awarded funds include $1.6 million to L.A. Alliance, and additional amounts to the Los Angeles Catholic Worker and Los Angeles Community Action Network, representing individuals experiencing homelessness on Skid Row.
The judge highlighted the disparity between the fees awarded to the plaintiffs and the $5.9 million being paid to the city’s outside counsel. The city is appealing the decision, and a hearing to determine whether the city will be held in contempt of court is scheduled. Concerns remain regarding the city’s continued delays in fulfilling its obligations under the settlement.
(Source：Google News)