What Do Unhoused People Want Most? Ask Them

Two Recent Studies Bridge the Gap Between Well-Intentioned Plans and What Those Experiencing Homelessness Actually Need

Government officials, activists, academics, homeowners, and two very competitive mayoral candidates constantly explain what the over 69,144 unhoused people living in Los Angeles County need and want. But you know whom we rarely hear from?

Homeless people.

Google all you want: You’ll find a lot of surveys about what housed people in L.A. think about unhoused people. You’ll find endless columns on what experts opine. But until recently, you’d be hard-pressed to find studies asking the people actually experiencing homelessness what they think should be done about the crisis.

Two recent surveys do …

Not Your Average L.A. Mayor Voter Guide

From South L.A. to the Valley, Angelenos Will Have to Vote Their Values

As the primary election for Los Angeles’ next mayor nears and narrows, Zócalo, together with Creating Our Next L.A., convened a panel to answer the question on every Angeleno’s mind: …

A ‘Peculiar Mix of Ego and Insecurity’ Drives the Race for L.A. Mayor | Zocalo Public Square • Arizona State University • Smithsonian

A ‘Peculiar Mix of Ego and Insecurity’ Drives the Race for L.A. Mayor

To Lead a City of Imported Stars, You’ve Got to Make It in Sacramento or Washington First

Why does Los Angeles trust Sacramento and Washington more than it trusts itself?

Angelenos may complain about state and national government like other Californians, but we also have a practice of …

Madrid Has 57 Councilmembers. Seoul Has 110. Why Does L.A. Have 15? | Zocalo Public Square • Arizona State University • Smithsonian

Madrid Has 57 Councilmembers. Seoul Has 110. Why Does L.A. Have 15?

More Mayoral Authority Won’t Empower California Cities; Electing More of Your Neighbors to Local Posts Will

If you want to make your California city government stronger, don’t make your mayor more powerful. Instead, make your city council bigger.

This summer, two of our state’s most thoughtful …

When Did Eric Garcetti Turn Jewish?

L.A.’s New Mayor Never Hid His Identity. But For Some Reason His Religious Faith Has Caught People By Surprise.

On May 22, 2013, the day after Los Angeles voters elected Eric Garcetti mayor of Los Angeles, something astonishing happened: He became Jewish.

No, he didn’t suddenly convert. Garcetti never hid …

L.A.’s 2013 Mayoral Candidates

Zócalo Gets Personal With Eric Garcetti and Wendy Greuel

Either city councilman Eric Garcetti and city controller Wendy Greuel will be L.A.’s next mayor. We heard everything they had to say on education and economy at our live debate …