Dozens Sleep Out On Venice Streets To Highlight Homeless Problem

LOS ANGELES (CBS) — The homeless population in Venice surged for at least one night this weekend in an effort aimed at calling attention to the plight of those in need.

Chris, a UCLA professor, was among about 75 people who voluntarily slept on the street as part of "Sleep-Out to End Homelessness", a campaign sponsored by a number of organizations that deal directly with the homeless, including the St. Joseph Center, the Venice Family Clinic and the Venice Community Housing Corporation.

"It was a little cool, a little wet," Chris said. "I was just thinking, I would have to have a pretty big shopping cart to bring the stuff that I brought to make myself comfortable tonight."

KNX 1070's Ed Mertz reports the campers slept in tents and sleeping bags on the lawn of the original Venice city hall.

Organizer Steve Clair says the purpose is to draw attention to the needs of homeless people in the City of Angels.

"The message has to get across to the politicians that we won't accept the situation and they need to provide some positive response, take this seriously and work on some solutions," he said.

And despite lasting less than 12 hours, the effort raised the spirits of some homeless people such as William.

"It's nice knowing the community's going to start doing something about it," he said.

Recent data shows that only an estimated 20 percent of the homeless population in Los Angeles has some form of shelter.