LA Officials Fear Growing Homeless Encampments Could Lead To Public Health Crises

But steps taken by health officials to alleviate the threat of disease outbreaks have led local residents to worry the encampments are permanent.

Los Angeles Times: As Homeless Camps Explode In L.A. Suburbs, Residents Fear They Will Become Permanent

As Southern California's homeless population has exploded in recent years, the South Bay and Harbor areas have seen their own surge, with an estimated 6,145 people calling the camps home, according to the 2017 homeless count — a 4% increase from 2016. The situation has alarmed Los Angeles County health officials, who fear the growing encampments are ripe for public health outbreaks, notably hepatitis A, which caused numerous deaths in San Diego's homeless community. (Etehad, 2/21)

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