Los Angeles has opened its first government-run homeless encampment, on a parking lot by the 101 freeway in East Hollywood. This comes weeks after officials shut down what was one of the city's largest encampments at Echo Park Lake, 2 miles away. (Thread)

The new campground is a pilot program that’s expected to be first of several across the city. (The federal government operates a similar site on the West LA Veterans Affairs campus in Brentwood.)

The idea is to provide designated areas for unhoused people to camp, with bathrooms and access to social services. But the high public cost — about $2,600 per person, per month — concerns some advocates who worry it will come at the expense of creating more permanent housing.

Another concern: That more government-approved campgrounds will mean more police enforcement for those who refuse or aren’t able to enter the sites.

Mitch O’Farrell, the city councilmember whose district includes both Echo Park Lake and the new East Hollywood campground, declined an interview. But Joe Buscaino, who plans similar sites, says enforcement on surrounding streets/parks is part of the point.

By the end of the year, the city plans to shut down this parking lot. That's when construction is supposed to start here on an HHH-funded permanent supportive housing project.

Please tune in to Greater LA with @RadioChio on @kcrw today at 1 and 6:30 p.m. for full story. Will also post here later today.