essay | Julie Edwards-X

I have been struggling for a couple of days deciding when to publish this post. I have the feeling that some may think I did this essay because I was feeling a little aggrieved that I was not covering the Academy Awards this year but the truth is I wanted to do this essay when I was last here in 2020 (but I did not have time). There was also the issue of not waiting too long as there would no longer be any relevance, so here it is…(a few days after being sent to press outlets)…

The story of the homeless in the area has been covered by so many in the USA and the UK and I really did not want to produce more “poverty porn”. However one of the effects of the Oscars is that it compresses the extremes of life, the richest and the poorest within a couple of blocks of Hollywood.

On Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA on the 1st March 2023, 12 days before the 95th Academy Awards will be presented in a ceremony held by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, lanes the boulevard have been closed and work has started on the “build”for the Red Carpet event.

While the eyes of the world are trained on the red carpet event, scattered around the neighbourhood, some just a few hundred metres away from the event, many homeless people are living in tents on the sidewalk.

These tents were photographed on the 6th March 2023, 6 days before the awards, on the junction of Las Palmas Ave and Selma, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA.

The problem of homelessness in Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA has been around for many years. In 2019, LA Sanitation and Environment (LASAN) launched the Comprehensive Cleaning and Rapid Engagement (CARE/CARE+) program including the Mobile Hygiene Program which provides restrooms and showers for unsheltered Angelenos.

Each client is provided with hygiene products, clean towels, and a clean change of clothes. Additionally, clients receive a hygiene kit with essentials that they can keep with them. Since inception, the MHU program has serviced more than 23,000 guests. This MHU was photographed on the junction of Las Palmas Ave and Selma, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA on the 6th March 2023, close to the tents pictured above

As the red carpet event “build” continues, further lanes of Hollywood Boulevard are closed off running a few blocks along from the event venue, the Dolby Theatre, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA and the security is increased as seen on the 6th March 2023.

6th March 2023: North Highland, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA. Meanwhile, further down N. Highland Avenue, the canvas homes are overlooked by the 95th Oscars signage.

7th March 2023: Vine Street, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA. The problem is spread across the Hollywood neighbourhood, this small tent being pitched on Vine.

7th March 2023: Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA. The tents are also highly visible on the famous Sunset Boulevard, a few blocks from the Academy Awards Venue.

7th March 2023: Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA. During the day, many (homeless??) may be seen wandering the streets sorting through the litter (trash cans).

7th March 2023: Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA. During the day, many (homeless??) may be seen wandering the streets of Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA, carrying blankets.