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AP

Some host cities are aiming to house, not arrest, homeless people ahead of the World Cup

  • By MICHAEL CASEY, R.J. RICO and CHARLOTTE KRAMON - Associated Press
  • Updated

The World Cup is offering the 16 host cities a chance to take action against one of the biggest problems they face — homelessness. Some, like Atlanta and Dallas, have embarked on ambitious plans to house people living on their downtown streets. But a survey by The Associated Press found most host cities are relying on existing services — without any fresh funding — to address homelessness. Advocates worry some cities will rely on a strategy of temporarily removing the homeless from areas where fans gather and games are played, rather than providing them with long-term housing. Such tactics have been seen in the past at large sports and political events worldwide.

National
AP

Takeaways from AP's report on how World Cup host cities are approaching homelessness

  • By MICHAEL CASEY and R.J. RICO - Associated Press
  • Updated

Some North American cities are using the upcoming World Cup as a catalyst to address homelessness. Atlanta launched a downtown program that has housed nearly 500 people. Dallas spent $10 million to reduce downtown street sleeping by 87%. Seattle is opening 75 tiny homes just before the tournament. However, an Associated Press survey found that most host cities are not adding new funding. Instead, officials in places like New York and Toronto say they are relying on existing programs. Meanwhile, activists report that some cities are still clearing encampments. They accuse officials of trying to hide the problem before tourists arrive.

Progressive Nithya Raman advances to November runoff against Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass
National
AP Wire

Progressive Nithya Raman advances to November runoff against Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass

  • By MICHAEL R. BLOOD - AP Political Writer
  • Updated

Progressive city council member Nithya Raman has advanced to a November runoff against Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, setting up an unexpected matchup between two Democrats and former political allies to run the struggling city of nearly 4 million. The outcome means Spencer Pratt, a Republican and former reality television personality from “The Hills,” is out of the running. Raman made a last-minute entry into the race, after she had endorsed Bass for reelection. The race also has historical markers. Bass is the first Black woman to hold the post, and Raman could be the first South Asian woman in the job.

National
AP

Palestinians suffer from lack of proper toilets across Gaza's vast tent cities

  • By WAFAA SHURAFA and TOQA EZZIDIN - Associated Press

There is not a single proper toilet across the vast tent cities housing most of Gaza’s 1.7 million Palestinians left homeless by the war. Displaced families have largely been left on their own to dig their own latrines, some shared by extended families. The improper cesspits spread foul odors and pools of sewage. At communal camp toilets, people wait in long lines then do their business behind a thin cloth separating them from the crowd of strangers outside. Women fear walking to the communal toilets at night. Mostafa Shaaban dug a latrine in a corner of his tent close to where his family sleeps and eats.

Homelessness is down in California and across the country, says new federal report
National
AP Wire

Homelessness is down in California and across the country, says new federal report

  • By MARISA KENDALL/CalMatters - CalMatters
  • Updated

A federal report shows a decrease in homelessness in California and nationwide last year, marking the first drop since 2016. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development released the data, which reveals a 2.8% decrease in California and a 3.3% decrease nationwide. Activists challenge the Trump administration's policies, attributing the decline to funding under former President Joe Biden. The administration, however, downplays the decrease, focusing on a 27% increase since 2013. The report's release was delayed by five months and has sparked debate over policies like "housing first" and immigration's impact on homelessness.

Winner pays $9 million in charity auction for a private lunch with Warren Buffett and Stephen Curry
National
AP Wire

Winner pays $9 million in charity auction for a private lunch with Warren Buffett and Stephen Curry

  • By JOSH FUNK - AP Business Writer
  • Updated

Someone paid more than $9 million to have lunch with basketball player Stephen Curry and Warren Buffett, and the legendary investor also promised to match the winning bid so both their favorite charities will benefit. The auction on eBay was intended to revive an event that Buffett hosted for more than two decades that raised $53 million for the GLIDE Foundation homeless charity in San Francisco. This year’s auction that wrapped up Thursday night also raised month for Curry’s Eat.Learn.Play. Foundation that he established with his wife, Ayesha. The annonymous winner paid $9,000,100 to win a private lunch with Buffett and the Currys in the 95-year-old investor’s hometown of Omaha, Nebraska, next month.