It’s about time Los Angeles took action and on Tuesday, Jan. 10, approved a motion to declare a state of emergency due to the region’s homeless crisis.

The homeless crisis is a reality and it is a specific and prolonged emergency, this crisis affects more individuals than other emergencies, said the motion co-authored by Los Angeles County Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Kathryn Barger.

“The homeless phenomenon is a complex and multifaceted problem that requires, among other things, the development of new affordable housing, including land use policy decisions to allow for such housing,” the motion continues.

It calls on Los Angeles County to provide essential services to people without housing, including general health, mental health and substance abuse treatment services.

The numbers are staggering and as of Jan. 2022, Los Angeles County had 69,144 homeless residents, 70% of whom could not find shelter anywhere, the highest number of homeless people in the country, according to the motion.

This decision to declare a state of emergency regarding the region’s homeless crisis will expedite the provision of supportive services and physical services for those without housing, according to county officials.