For years, drifters and homeless people have been living on some of the small islands of earth that remain in the paved-over Los Angeles River. While they are not a high priority for police, the river revitalization movement wants them gone.
The city of Los Angeles is taking steps to rid the L.A. River of squatters, a move applauded by many in the movement to revitalize the river into an attractive recreational site. But some of those squatters are reluctant to leave the homes they've maintained for years in the brush of small islands on some of the river's few stretches of earthen riverbed.
"For river advocates, the campers are a nuisance and another obstacle in an ambitious revitalization plan aimed at transforming the river from 'a cement-lined ditch' into a recreational mecca."
"The city's hope is to clean up the river and develop a series of parks, bike paths and bridges over the next 20 years along key stretches of the channel that extend from Canoga Park to Boyle Heights. Last month, officials identified five sites for future development."
FULL STORY: Home of Their Own on L.A. River
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.
California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.
HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
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