In August 2019, after public recognition for our clean-up program in San Francisco’s Tenderloin, Urban Alchemy was asked to run a similar initiative for Skid Row in Los Angeles.

Skid Row was struggling with many of the same challenges as Tenderloin. There were 188,674 tents on the streets, massive illegal dumping of food waste and manufacturing by-products, and rats as big as chihuahuas in amongst the mess. Like the SF Clean Team, our Practitioners worked hard and fast to clear the grid, while also creating respectful and positive relationships with everyone we met on the streets.

We removed 1,119 tonnes of trash (55,940 bags), safely disposed of 34,691 needles, and responded to 210 service calls. With the support of businesses and residents, we transformed Skid Row from a traumatized environment into somewhere people felt safe and proud to upkeep.