SHERMAN OAKS—On Tuesday, October 2, residents of Sherman Oaks held a protest and candlelight vigil in support of building homeless shelters in the region. There are proposals to build two homeless shelters in the Sherman Oaks area.

Los Angeles City Councilman David Ryu proposed the plan, where the shelters’ locations would include Sepulveda and Dickens, as well as Sepulveda and Magnolia. The homeless housing plan would include not only permanent, but temporary, and emergency housing. The shelters would also give homeless individuals the opportunity to have a place of support.

In September, residents voiced their concerns about the homeless shelters in the area at a neighborhood council meeting. Some residents opposed the housing plan because they believe it will not only bring more homeless individuals to the area, but end up causing safety concerns and other issues in neighborhoods.

Ryu said that the city has the funding for the housing plan because voters passed Prop H and Prop HHH. Additional meetings will be held to give residents more details before decisions are made.

Canyon News reached out to Los Angeles City Councilman David Ryu for comment about the building of the two homeless shelters. Ryu issued the following statement:

“We are all affected by the homelessness crisis, and we all need to be thinking about solutions. That’s why I went to the community early in the process, and why I’m continuing to meet with Sherman Oaks residents and businesses in small group meetings to discuss homelessness in Sherman Oaks, and how the right housing with supportive services can help. Whether it’s Sherman Oaks, or Hollywood, or anywhere across Council District Four, working with the community to find holistic and comprehensive solutions to homelessness remains my focus. Nothing solves homelessness like a home.”