*A homeless family of 18 living on the streets of Westlake for four months now has shelter thanks to the help from a local nonprofit that works to find housing solutions for the most vulnerable.
The family is from Honduras and includes five adults and 13 children (and toddlers). They had been living in a small tent on Alvarado Street near MacArthur Park since September, ABC 7 reports.
“To use the restroom, if we didn’t have money, we couldn’t use it, and we had to beg people to let us use it,” said Ana Madrid. “It’s a very sad situation.”
The family fled Honduras five years ago due to the violence. According to ABC 7, they ended up in Austin, Texas, but lost their home due to issues with work permits. Once family members came to Los Angeles, they attempted to work with the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority but had difficulty finding residency due to the size of the family.
“To use the restroom, if we didn’t have money, we couldn’t use it, and we had to beg people to let us use it,” said Madrid. “It’s a very sad situation.”
On Thursday, the Dream Center notified the family that it would be able to place them in a shelter.
“One hundred times better here, to be honest,” said family patriarch Jose Luis García. “Here we have the opportunity to be better to get a permit and work.”
According to ABC 7, the family was relocated as of Friday.
“The Dream Center has always tried to react swiftly to provide solutions in every situation especially where children live on the streets,” the organization said. “It’s always a joyful moment when you can provide a safe place for families to take a deep breath from life’s struggles and to help them rebuild.”
Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez also issued a statement.
“Our office was informed of this family on Wednesday and immediately made contact to assess the situation and conduct an intake. We are actively working with the family, and a network of partner agencies, to urgently secure resources and housing for them,” Hernandez said.
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