LA's ambitious plan to reduce homelessness: Inside Safe program

Carla Orendorff stands for a photo on August 2, 2023. Orendorff is a community organizer in the Aetna Street homeless community in Van Nuys, CA.

Carla Orendorff stands for a photo on August 2, 2023. Orendorff is a community organizer in the Aetna Street homeless community in Van Nuys, CA.

Rebecca Chavez tears up while speaking about her experiences with the Inside Safe unhoused program on August 2, 2023. Chavez was part of the program but now lives on the streets in a tent with her husband.

Rebecca Chavez, who was part of the Inside Safe unhoused program but now lives on the streets, holds her cat named Flatbed on August 2, 2023. Chavez was part of the program but now lives on the streets in a tent with her husband and her cats.

Rebecca Chavez, who was part of the Inside Safe unhoused program but now lives on the streets, holds her cat named Chicote on August 2, 2023. Chavez was part of the program but now lives on the streets in a tent with her husband and her cats.

Jeffrey Tropp points to black mold in their motel room on August 2, 2023. Tropp is part of the Inside Safe unhoused program in Los Angeles.

Jeffrey Tropp juggles in their motel room on August 2, 2023. Tropp is part of the Inside Safe unhoused program in Los Angeles.

Jeffrey Tropp sits at their desk inside their motel room on August 2, 2023. They spoke of being fond of dinosaurs and having many dinosaur figurines in their room. Tropp is part of the Inside Safe unhoused program in Los Angeles.

Derrick Thomas, a 65-year-old Louisiana native who prefers to go by Hawk, has lived in an encampment in Skid Row for six years. There he provides haircuts for other members of the homeless community on Skid Row. In 2023, Mayor Karen Bass' administration moved around 175 unhoused people from Skid Row to a nearby hotel as part of Inside Safe.

Jeffrey Tropp sits on their bed inside their motel room on August 2, 2023. Tropp is part of the Inside Safe unhoused program in Los Angeles.