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Officials unveiled a new multi-service center designed to provide essential services and medical care to homeless residents in downtown Skid Row’s district.
The facility at 442 S. Crocker St. provides unhoused people access to hygiene facilities, medical treatment, case workers, and supplies for harm reduction programs. City and county leaders attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the complex, which stems from Los Angeles County’s comprehensive plan to revitalize the Skid Row area.
The facility welcomes all visitors without requiring screening processes or participation mandates, drawing thousands of users weekly to its sprawling grounds, which cover more than 36,000 square feet. Entrance protocols prioritize hospitality over security, with residents serving as greeters to minimize barriers that might deter participation among vulnerable populations. Programming benefits extend to financially struggling county residents regardless of housing status.
Four distinct zones comprise the campus operations. A recreational area features outdoor space with activities, gardening plots, animal accommodations, washing facilities, and wellness programming. Service coordination occurs through a booth system rotating county and nonprofit resources. Medical care takes place in a health hub offering treatment beds for observation, substance abuse programs including methadone distribution, and harm reduction materials. Housing assistance is provided through a licensed residential center offering 48 beds specifically for elderly clients.
Operations at the center launched in April under the management of local community groups, employing residents from the neighborhood. Three health organizations—Homeless Health Care L.A., Social Model Recovery Systems, and Wesley Health Centers—coordinate on-site medical services.
County officials stated the center responds directly to requests from Skid Row residents seeking improved health resources and housing assistance pathways.
L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis, who spearheaded the county’s Skid Row Action Plan, emphasized the center’s role in addressing resident needs with dignity.
“The Skid Row Care Campus is a powerful example of what’s possible when we truly listen to people and invest in dignity, healing and meeting individuals where they are,” Solis said in a statement. “This is more than a service hub — it’s a clear statement that every life in Skid Row matters, and that everyone deserves safety, health and hope.”
Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado, whose district includes the area, characterized the center as evidence of coordinated efforts to address homelessness through a health-focused approach.
“This campus is part of a strategy to bring resources directly to the people who need them most,” Jurado said in a statement. “It shows our commitment to treating homelessness not just as a housing issue, but as a public health crisis that demands coordinated, compassionate and sustained action.”
Financial backing for the project came partially from LA Care Health Plan and Health Net, with services extending to uninsured and low-income county residents, including those beyond the homeless population.
The campus operates using the Housing First approach, which provides immediate access to permanent housing without requiring treatment completion or sobriety as prerequisites. National research on Housing First programs indicates that this model typically achieves housing retention rates of 75-91% after one year, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. Studies of permanent supportive housing programs in other cities have shown success rates as high as 86% for chronically homeless individuals with high service needs, as documented in UC San Francisco research. While the Skid Row campus is too new to have generated long-term outcome data, officials expect similar results based on the evidence-backed Housing First model.
Data shows that 41% of unsheltered Skid Row residents experience severe psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or trauma-related disorders, while 31% struggle with addiction issues, according to LAist analysis. Despite high prevalence rates, substantial gaps remain in accessing mental health interventions among unhoused populations, with research documenting underutilization of psychiatric services despite widespread depression and trauma symptoms. While the campus provides some mental health resources, healthcare experts emphasize that comprehensive psychiatric treatment capacity remains insufficient due to staffing constraints and the complexity of treating co-occurring disorders, as documented in academic research.
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