Title: Guide to Homelessness and the Law in Los Angeles | Law Soup LA
Headings: Guide to Laws Related to Homelessness in Los Angeles
Homelessness
Guide to Laws Related to Homelessness in Los Angeles
1. Get Help
How can a homeless person get help and resources?
2. Shelter
Do people have a legal right to shelter?
Are homeless people required to go into shelters?
3. Private Property
Are homeless people allowed on private property?
4. Sleeping & Living in your car
Is it illegal to sleep or live in your car in Los Angeles?
What is defined as living in a vehicle?
What is the penalty for living in a vehicle?
Are homeless people allowed to park their RVs on the street?
5. Being on the sidewalk or street
Is it illegal to block the sidewalk?
Is it illegal to sit, sleep, or “camp” on the sidewalk?
Is it illegal to sit or stand in other public places?
What is loitering and is it illegal?
6. Tents and other stuff on the street
Is it legal to store things on the street?
Are tents on the street illegal?
Are structures on the street illegal?
What are the police allowed to do with the belongings of homeless people?
7. Donating food
Is it illegal to donate food to a non-profit (or could I be sued for it)?
8. Soliciting or begging
Is it illegal to ask or beg for money?
9. “Dumping” a homeless person
Is it illegal for a hospital to drop a homeless person on the street or at a shelter, or a different hospital?
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Content: 1
Martin v Boise (2018) – 9th Circuit
Other cities are taking an alternative approach focusing on helping homeless get off the streets, and many cities, like Los Angeles, are doing a mix of helping and penalizing. Even within LA County, each city has various approaches to laws related to homelessness which would be quite difficult to cover, so here we focus mostly on laws within the city of LA. ( Related: What City Am I in?) 1. Get Help
How can a homeless person get help and resources? The Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) website has a list of resources, including shelter, mental health services, and much more. You can also call them at 800 548 6047, or simply dial 211 and follow the prompts. 2. Shelter
Do people have a legal right to shelter?