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

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs
Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands
The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.

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?

Research: Walkability Linked to Improved Public Health
A study reveals that the density of city blocks is a significant factor in communities’ walkability and, subsequently, improved public health outcomes for residents.

Report Outlines Strategies for Resilient Wildfire Recovery in LA
Project Recovery offers a roadmap for rebuilding more sustainable and climate-resilient communities after wildfires and other disasters.

New Executive Order Renews Attack on Public Lands
An order issued late last week pushes for increased mineral extraction on federally owned public lands.
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