Clearing Camps: The Pandemic, America's Cities, And Homelessness

The pandemic exposed many gaps in modern society, but few people are more familiar with those gaps than those experiencing homelessness. That's especially true in Washington D.C., where the number of chronically unhoused people increased by more than 20 percent last year. That's also meant an increase in encampments across the city.This year, the district launched a pilot program to clear encampments and put people into housing. We also look at what's happening in Los Angeles, where homelessness is a top concern. The city passed a ban on camping and is set to clear at least 70 spots with hundreds more possibly on the horizon. From D.C. to L.A., how are cities responding to encampments and what are the best solutions? Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.