Outreach Team Shocks Eastside: You Won't Believe How Many Health Kits They Delivered to the Homeless!

In an effort to combat the increasing homelessness crisis on Los Angeles' Eastside, especially in neighborhoods like Boyle Heights, a new initiative is now underway. The program, launched by Councilmember Ysabel Jurado, aims to provide targeted assistance to unhoused residents through daily outreach efforts. Named Leading Outreach with Valued Engagement—or LOVE—this year-long program will run until March 2027, with a budget of $300,000 funded through Jurado’s discretionary funds.

The LOVE program will deploy a dedicated team of three, including two outreach workers and a coordinator, to distribute essential hygiene kits, tents, and information about temporary housing options. Their goal is not just to offer immediate relief but also to connect individuals with longer-term solutions, such as housing and health care services. This initiative comes in response to alarming reports from the community, with 635 encampments reported in Boyle Heights in the first quarter of 2025, marking a significant increase from 379 during the same period in 2024, as noted by an analysis from The Eastsider.

At a recent meeting of the Community Police Advisory Board, hosted by the Hollenbeck Community Police Station, residents expressed their concerns about the growing number of encampments. Issues highlighted included unhoused individuals living behind the Benjamin Franklin Library and a larger encampment near Hollenbeck Drive and South Boyle Avenue. Community members, such as Susana Betancourt, emphasized the need for property owners to take responsibility for cleanup and the challenges posed when encampments shift locations.

“Encampments move from one place to another,” Betancourt stated, reflecting the ongoing frustrations faced by both residents and local authorities. Jurado’s office has made it clear that they are committed to a thoughtful approach, coordinating every two weeks to identify the areas most in need of assistance. “We ensure neighbors receive consistent support and that unhoused residents are connected to housing, health care, and other services,” Jurado remarked in an interview with Boyle Heights Beat.

Jurado highlighted the importance of the LOVE program in providing access to “life-saving health care, stable housing, and pathways to recovery.” The outreach team is equipped to offer crisis intervention and de-escalation, as well as post-placement follow-up to help residents maintain stable housing. The program’s outreach will specifically target neighborhoods within Council District 14, which includes El Sereno, Lincoln Heights, Boyle Heights, Eagle Rock, and Highland Park.

Mason Santa Maria, a spokesperson for Jurado, pointed out that outreach workers have already begun identifying unhoused residents who have not yet been entered into the Homeless Management Information System, an important database tracking services accessed by unhoused individuals. “It’s hard to keep track of people when they don’t have a stable address,” Santa Maria explained, stressing the significance of this program in facilitating better service tracking.

The impacts of this program will not only be felt by those unhoused but also by the communities surrounding them. By addressing the immediate needs of unhoused residents while also providing pathways to recovery, the LOVE program represents a multifaceted approach to a complex issue. While it’s still early in the implementation process, community members and local leaders are hopeful that consistent outreach and tailored support can help improve the living conditions for those experiencing homelessness in Boyle Heights and beyond.