Eastsider Staff Photo by Jesus Sanchez
• L.A. City Council District 1 (map) includes all or part of Angeleno Heights, Cypress Park, Echo Park, Glassell Park, Lincoln Heights, Montecito Heights, Mount Washington, Solano Canyon and other neighborhoods Find out if you live in the district. The primary election is June 2.
When it comes to addressing homelessness in Los Angeles, one of the thorniest issues is Municipal Ordinance 41.18. It prohibits sleeping, sitting and camping within 500 feet of sensitive sites such as school, parks and libraries. However, City Councilmembers have wide leeway in whether they use it in their district.
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It’s also a concern for many voters. So we asked the five candidates, If elected, will you utilize Municipal Ordinance 41.18 to address tent encampments in District 1”
Most of the candidates said they would use it, but only as part of a broader response to homelessness, maintaining that enforcement should be paired with outreach, shelter and other services. Several also said the ordinance should be used to keep sidewalks, parks and other public spaces open and safe, particularly near schools and libraries. The incumbent stood apart by rejecting 41.18 as a useful tool, arguing that it merely moves encampments around.
Here are the candidates’ answers in full:
Lou Calanche
Addressing homelessness requires a balance between compassion and effective coordination. Ordinance 41.18 should only be used alongside meaningful outreach, shelter options, and services so people are not simply displaced from one block to another. My focus will be on expanding housing solutions, prevention, and coordinated services while keeping public spaces safe and accessible for everyone.
Raul Claros
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Yes. Ordinance 41.18 should be used in a focused, lawful, and humane way. I will prioritize enforcement near schools, parks, libraries, and critical infrastructure, paired with immediate access to shelter, mental health care, and substance use treatment. Enforcement must be coordinated with outreach teams and service providers, not done in isolation. The goal is to restore public spaces while moving people off the streets and into safe, stable pathways, with clear accountability and transparent reporting to the community.
Nelson Grande
Yes. I will use Municipal Ordinance 41.18 in Los Angeles City Council District 1 when encampments block sidewalks, shut down public access, or create real safety or sanitation risks. That includes areas where kids walk to school and seniors need clear paths. Enforcement has to be humane and consistent, paired with outreach and offers of shelter and services. My standard is simple: restore public spaces and treat people with dignity.
Eunisses Hernandez (incumbent)
41.18 doesn’t solve homelessness — it moves people down the street without addressing the root causes. My focus is on real solutions. Since taking office, I’ve moved over 500 people into permanent housing, opened 300+ supportive interim beds, secured $6 million for encampment resolution along the 110 freeway, and reduced evictions through strong tenant protections. It is far cheaper and more effective to keep people housed than to find housing after they fall into homelessness.
Sylvia Robledo
Yes. If elected, I will use Municipal Ordinance 41.18 as part of a balanced, compassionate approach to addressing encampments. Enforcement should only occur after meaningful outreach, proper notice, and real offers of shelter or services. I will apply the ordinance to protect public safety, keep sidewalks and parks accessible, and reduce fire risk, while ensuring humane treatment, coordination with service providers, and accountability.
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