In today's newscast:
The Los Angeles Board of Supervisors voted Tuesday to declare housing insecurity a public health crisis.
Aaron Schrank, with our news partner LAist, reported the vote is not an official emergency declaration and does not trigger any new authority.
Even so, Supervisor Hilda Solis said labeling housing insecurity as a public health threat makes sure all county departments are on the same page.
"Unstable housing is not just an economic issue," said Solis. "It is a driver of chronic illness, trauma, family instability, and preventable health disparities."
Supervisors also approved developing a policy that gives people in unincorporated LA County priority access to affordable housing built in their neighborhoods.
Vending machine library books
In Marin County, patrons can now checkout a library book from a vending machine. The new pilot program hopes to make it easier to access the library.
Reporting from Stafford Hemmer, with our news partner KALW, found the first vending machine-style library was installed at Kruger Pines, a federally-subsidized housing complex.
Juliet Schiller, assistant director of library support services in Marin, said it’s all about accessibility for seniors and adults with disabilities.
"For people who have transportation or mobility barriers, there's no need to go anywhere other than into that community room," said Schiller. "They can just go and slide your card and you can check out books or you can return them right to the machine.”
The cabinet holds up to 200 items, including books, DVDs, and, in the future, possibly puzzles and craft kits.
